Guided tours of the Grande Saline

Guided tours (including access to the underground gallery)

Accompanied by a guide, discover the extraordinary history of salt in Salins-les-Bains.
Underground lies the treasure that made the town of Salins the economic capital of medieval Franche-Comté: salt. The two salt water extraction shafts, protected by a stone gallery 165 metres long and 8 metres high, house a pumping mechanism that is still in operation. The wheel, the large wooden pendulum and the pump make up a unique 32-metre-long unit, the soothing movement of which amazes and astounds.
The discovery of the evaporation room, with its trolleys full of salt, the harvesting tools and the last salt pan in France, plunges visitors into the world of the workers. Everything has been preserved to give visitors a better understanding of salt production techniques.
More than just a visit, experience, feel and share an industrial adventure, but above all a human one.

After the guided tour, discover the Salt Museum, the temporary exhibition Terre de Sels, the Franc-Comtois salt works in the 20th century, meet the Fondation du Patrimoine and take part in a salt water evaporation workshop in the company of the salt workers' association.

Access to the underground gallery is via a fifty-step staircase. Gallery temperature: 12°C.





The European Heritage Days programme:

- Free admission to the Salt Museum and the exhibition "Terre de Sels, les Salines franc-comtoises au XXe siècle" - free - no access to the gallery

-Salt water evaporation demonstration

Activities with the Fondation du Patrimoine

Sunday only:
Guided tour of the roof structure of the Maison du Pardessus, with a master craftsman at 10.30am, 2pm and 3.30pm. Free - booking required