Salt Stories

The Saline royale at Arc-et-Senans, a former salt factory, is now better known for the architecture of its buildings than for the industrial activity that led to its construction. This history of salt production, starting with the brine transported through underground pipes from Salins-les-Bains, is presented in the museum space in the “Director’s House”. In addition to this specific activity, a summary of the role of salt in the life of humans is also exhibited: origins, geography, exploitation methods, its essential role in taxation under the old regime, its symbolic and ritual role, its past and present uses, etc.