Salins-les-Bains

No stage or stay in Salins-les-Bains without obviously beginning with the visit of the old salt, that is to say the factory that exploited salt production. Different techniques have been used over the centuries to obtain salt by artificial evaporation (unlike open salt marshes, such as by the sea, and whose lowest operating cost was due to the salt mines of Franche-Comté).

Occupying formerly more than 15,000 square meters in the city center, Salina was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 as an original industrial unit prior to the 19th century. Henceforth, only a part of the buildings, including a carriage, towers, an underground gallery, remained. The tour is guided and gives free admission to the dedicated museum. Open all year. Information and reservations at +33 3 84 73 10 92. Price: 7,50 and 4 euros (children, students).

Still in terms of architectural heritage, it is worth dwelling at the town hall (XVIII), of classical style, but which used to shelter a court of justice.

On the religious level, the Saint-Anatoile collegiate church (13th century, Gothic style Burgundy), with its facade decorated with two windows of flamboyant style, its carved oak door and its defensive bell tower is to be seen, like the Notre-Dame chapel Liberator, built in the 17th century after the city was spared from the plague. Its dome with a lantern tower is exemplary. Inside, a lead statue of Notre-Dame and 15th-century polychrome wooden statues are preserved.

Return to civilian heritage with the Apothicairerie, a pharmacy of the seventeenth century still furnished and equipped with technical elements (alembic, jars, surgical instruments, faience...) and ornamental 17th and 18th centuries. Rue de la République, one will appreciate the numerous private mansions of the 19th century (after a fire in the center in 1825), neo-classical style, in gray stone, and which testify to the wealth of the bourgeoisie then.

Always in town, impossible not to notice the twenty fountains proving all that the city owes to its water! Some are genuine sculptures, the oldest of the sixteenth century.

Guided tours of the city are organized and leaflets available. Please contact us on +33 3 84 73 01 34.

Finally, the military fort was the fort of Saint-André, built in the 10th and then reorganized by Vauban, which culminates at 600 m and the fort Belin, dating from the 19th century but having been built on the site of a medieval castle, culminating in 580 m, dominate the city.

These two sites are hiking goals, as is also the Mont Poupet, 800 m above sea level, now popular with paragliding enthusiasts. Many points of view mark the path that goes up there.

In general, 200 km of hiking or mountain biking trails have been built on Salins-les-Bains and its surroundings. There is also a "chemin des gabelous" (customs) linking the city to Arc-et-Senans. For more information, please call +33 3 84 73 01 34.

Always in the open air, the discovery of paragliding is possible (including for people with reduced mobility). Contact at +33 6 32 90 84 91. And for the youngest, an acrobatic park offers sporting and fun routes. For further information: +33 9 73 12 26 18.

But no question of leaving Salins-les-Bains without admiring the architecture of the spa (managed by the city) and even take advantage of the opportunity for a few pleasures (jacuzzi...) or care, failing to follow a cure For therapeutic purposes. Information on +33 3 84 73 04 63.

In May, from Thursday of the Ascension to the Sunday following, the Four Days of Salins mix commercial entertainment and shows for all audiences.

In May always, the festival Chansons en Fête offers shows of French song.

It is chamber music, on the other hand, that is honored in July at Salines en Musique.

In August, animations around science and astronomy are proposed with La Tête dans les Etoiles.

The Journées du Livre, finally, are organized in September and bring together many authors who have come to meet the public.

In a different way, the terroir of the region is honored Thursday and Saturday morning in the market, in the city center.

• From 5 march to 27 april 2024
• 8B Rue de la République, Médiathèque
• Exhibition - Peregrinations of a Saline geologist, from the Roche pourrie to Colorado. - Discover the research work of the man who was the first to draw up a geological map of the United States in 1855, through maps and books from the Salins library's old collection. He also published works on the Jura, the Jardin des Plantes and Canada. - Access : Visit during opening hours. Mezzanine access without lift. - Public : General public

• From 30 march to 15 may 2024
• The Salins-les-Bains town council, via its culture commission, is organising a photo competition on the theme of "Salins-les-Bains and its unusual heritage". - The 10 best photos will be printed and exhibited in the town from 21 June to 22 September 2024.

• From 1 to 30 april 2024
• 3 place des Salines, La Grande Saline
• Reopening of the Grande Saline on 29 January - Exhibition until 30 April - The Grande Saline is presenting a new temporary exhibition. - "Terre de Sels, les salines de Franche-Comté au XX^e siècle" highlights the regional saltworks from the early 20th century until their closure in the late 1960s. - The exhibition highlights the richness of this industry, which played an important role in the regional economy and in the daily lives of the people of Franche-Comté. In the twentieth century, Franche-Comté had 9 salt works spread across almost the entire region, producing around 60,000 tonnes of salt a year ! - Montmorot, Poligny, Châtillon-le-Duc-Geneuille, Montaigu-Perrigny, Montferrand-Pouilley-les-Vignes, Miserey, Gouhenans, Grozon and Salins. All of these salt works provided a livelihood for hundreds of workers… - For several months, the Saline team dug through the archives and went out into the field to meet enthusiasts, researchers, elected representatives and, above all, the heirs of the former men and women who worked in the salt works in the Doubs, Jura and Haute-Saône. - Numerous previously unpublished archive documents, photos, illustrations, archive videos and recordings have come down to us to bring to life the history of the Comtois salt-making heritage. - The testimonies of the workers and the objects presented in the exhibition highlight this ancestral know-how and perpetuate the working memory of Franche-Comté. - Join us from 30 September to discover this fascinating and moving exhibition, where the powerful voices of Franche-Comté's industrial memory will resound.

• From 24 to 25 april 2024
• Avenue Aristide Briand, Parking Bi1
• 2-day course from age 10 - Trout fishing with lures or natural bait - Equipment supplied - 8 participants maximum - Organised by the Gaule Régionale Salinoise - Online registration required : - https://www.peche-jura.com/details-des-stages-de-peches-jura.html

• On 26 april 2024
• 8 Rue de la République, Médiathèque
• Take your chocolate bar home with you ! - Cocoa cookery workshop organised by ADE France. - Come and find out how to make chocolate from cocoa, make your own dark or milk chocolate, measure out the percentage of cocoa, add fruit… and leave with your own chocolate bar ! - Registration required, limited to 12 people, aged 7 and over (accompanied by an adult). - Equipment to bring : apron

• On 27 april 2024
• 8 Rue de la République, Médiathèque
• Screening of a French film by Émilie Deleuze organised by Écran mobile, Ligue de l'enseignement BFC - By Mike Mitchell - Animation - U.S.A. - 1h34 - From 6 years old - After three adventures in which the dragon warrior Po fought the most fearsome masters of evil thanks to his unrivalled courage and martial arts skills, fate is once again knocking on his door to invite him to finally rest. More specifically, to be appointed spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace.

• From 1 to 31 may 2024
• 8B Rue de la République, Le Bocal
• Arts and crafts exhibition and sale - multi-disciplinary and colourful ! - Le Bocal is an exhibition space dedicated to arts and crafts. Every month, from April to December, it presents a different theme, highlighting the many facets of the craft. - The gallery, run by an association under the 1901 law, is a 95m² space in the heart of this town, whose history is divided between the exploitation of rock salt and a tradition of creating hand-painted ceramic tableware.

• On 2 may 2024
• On the programme for the 2024 Festival de la Randonnée - Distance : 7 km - Difficulty : very difficult - Duration : 7 hours - Minimum age : 10 years - No pets allowed - What to bring : water, snacks, good walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, cap, sunglasses, sun cream and picnic. - Get up high and dive into history in search of answers about the specific features and strategic role (or not) of forts Belin and Saint André over the centuries. During this somewhat steep adventure - You'll have the privilege of visiting these 2 forts, one of which is exceptionally open for the occasion ! - Don't forget to bring your picnic. - Included : visits to the private forts : Fort Belin and Fort Saint André. - You must take part in the hike (very difficult) to visit the forts. - Bookings required at the Arbois Poligny Salins Coeur du Jura tourist office. - 2024 hiking festival - Practical information - A picnic is required for day hikes. - The duration of the walks is given as a guide and includes breaks and/or picnics. Please arrive 15 minutes (30 minutes for mountain bike rides) before the start of the ride. - Cancellation - In the event of cancellation by the customer less than 48 hours before the date of the hike, no refund will be possible. - The Coeur du Jura Tourist Office reserves the right to modify or cancel a route in the event of very unfavourable weather conditions or if it has to do so at the last minute. Under this condition, the Coeur du Jura Tourist Office undertakes to reimburse the customer. - For more details on cancellation conditions, please refer to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale in your confirmation email or on http://www.coeurdujura-tourisme.com. - COVID rules - In the context of the health crisis linked to COVID-19, the conditions of participation and access to the hikes will be adapted according to the regulatory measures in force on the date of the event. - Safety instructions - Animals not allowed - Follow the instructions given by the guide (s) before each walk, and pack your bag well : bring water, a snack, walking shoes and suitable clothing, and a picnic for day walks. - For safety reasons, anyone arriving without suitable footwear for the hike they wish to take part in may be refused access to the hike by the supervisors. - Insurance - Anyone taking part in the Festival undertakes to take out insurance to cover civil liability and personal injury. - Responsible hiker's charter - → Respect the regulations in force - → Stay on marked paths - → Bring back and sort your rubbish - → Remain silent so as not to disturb or frighten wildlife - → Do not overestimate your physical fitness - → Close gates and fences after your walk - → Give preference to car-pooling and park in designated areas - → In fragile areas (caves, rivers, waterfalls, forest edges, etc.), do not pick or pull up plants, as these may be protected, and do not seek close contact with wildlife.

• On 5 may 2024
• On the programme for the 2024 Festival de la Randonnée - Distance : 2 km - Difficulty : fairly easy - Duration : 2h30 - Minimum age : 6 years - Animals not allowed - What to bring : water, snacks, good walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing - Adapted to the weather, cap, sunglasses, sun cream. - Sun cream. - Take a step aside and discover Chamoz, a favourite spot on the western slopes of Mont Poupet, to set off on the trail of local and seasonal treasures. Your adventure will be guided by games, a few tastings, lots of stories big and small, and above all hosted by a local enthusiast. - Bookings required at the Arbois Poligny Salins Coeur du Jura Tourist Office. - 2024 hiking festival - -Practical information - A picnic is required for day hikes. - The duration of the walks is given as a guide and includes breaks and/or picnics. Please arrive 15 minutes (30 minutes for mountain bike rides) before the start of the ride. - -Cancellation - In the event of cancellation by the customer less than 48 hours before the date of the hike, no refund will be possible. - The Coeur du Jura Tourist Office reserves the right to modify or cancel a route in the event of very unfavourable weather conditions or if it has to do so at the last minute. Under this condition, the Coeur du Jura Tourist Office undertakes to reimburse the customer. - For more details on cancellation conditions, please refer to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale in your confirmation email or on http://www.coeurdujura-tourisme.com. - -COVID rules - In the context of the health crisis linked to COVID-19, the conditions of participation and access to the hikes will be adapted according to the regulatory measures in force on the date of the event. - -Safety instructions - Animals not allowed - Follow the instructions given by the guide (s) before each walk, and pack your bag well : bring water, a snack, walking shoes and suitable clothing, and a picnic for day walks. - For safety reasons, anyone arriving without suitable footwear for the hike they wish to take part in may be refused access to the hike by the supervisors. - -Insurance - Anyone taking part in the Festival undertakes to take out insurance covering civil liability and personal injury. - -Responsible hiker's charter - → Respect the regulations in force - → Stay on marked paths - → Bring back and sort your rubbish - → Remain silent so as not to disturb or frighten wildlife - → Do not overestimate your physical fitness - → Close gates and fences after your walk - → Give preference to car-pooling and park in designated areas - → In fragile areas (caves, rivers, waterfalls, forest edges, etc.), do not pick or pull up plants, as these may be protected, and do not seek close contact with wildlife.

• On 8 may 2024
• On the programme for the 2024 Festival de la Randonnée - Distance : 20 km - Difficulty : difficult ! (knowledge of mountain biking) - Duration : 3 hours - Minimum age : 15 years - No pets allowed - What to bring : water, snacks, good walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, cap, sunglasses, sun cream, etc. - Sun cream - Take to the heights on your electric mountain bike to discover the overhangs of the historic town of Salins-les-Bains. Along paths, tracks and back roads, enjoy this experience alongside a professional - With a professional for a breath of fresh air and a taste of nature. - Includes : hire of electrically-assisted mountain bike and - helmet - Bookings must be made with the Arbois Poligny Salins Coeur du Jura tourist office. - When registering, please give us the full name, age, postcode, mobile number, e-mail address and height of all participants. - festival de la rando 2024 - -Practical information - A picnic is required for day hikes. - The duration of the walks is given as a guide and includes breaks and/or picnics. Please arrive 15 minutes (30 minutes for mountain bike rides) before the start of the ride. - -Cancellation - In the event of cancellation by the customer less than 48 hours before the date of the hike, no refund will be possible. - The Coeur du Jura Tourist Office reserves the right to modify or cancel a route in the event of very unfavourable weather conditions or if it has to do so at the last minute. Under this condition, the Coeur du Jura Tourist Office undertakes to reimburse the customer. - For more details on cancellation conditions, please refer to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale in your confirmation email or on http://www.coeurdujura-tourisme.com. - -COVID rules - In the context of the health crisis linked to COVID-19, the conditions of participation and access to the hikes will be adapted according to the regulatory measures in force on the date of the event. - -Safety instructions - Animals not allowed - Follow the instructions given by the guide (s) before each walk, and pack your bag well : bring water, a snack, walking shoes and suitable clothing, and a picnic for day walks. - For safety reasons, anyone arriving without suitable footwear for the hike they wish to take part in may be refused access to the hike by the supervisors. - -Insurance - Anyone taking part in the Festival undertakes to take out insurance covering civil liability and personal injury. - -Responsible hiker's charter - → Respect the regulations in force - → Stay on marked paths - → Bring back and sort your rubbish - → Remain silent so as not to disturb or frighten wildlife - → Do not overestimate your physical fitness - → Close gates and fences after your walk - → Give preference to car-pooling and park in designated areas - → In fragile areas (caves, rivers, waterfalls, forest edges, etc.), do not pick or uproot plants, as these may be protected, and do not seek close contact with wildlife.

48 km away, Les Fils d'Emile Pernot distillery in La Cluse-et-Mijoux: French specialist in absinthe, the distillery welcomes you in a unique setting and invites you to soak up the terroir of Haut-Doubs. Discover absinthe and its history on a guided tour and continue your adventure by discovering different flavors during a free tasting of the products.