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, from the brine transported underground 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 or salt in the life of humans is also exhibited: origins, geography, modes of exploitation, its essential role in taxation under the old regime, its symbolic and ritual role, its past and present uses, etc.