Located in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, in the Doubs department, the village of Arc-et-Senans takes place not far from the forest of Chaux, near the city of Besançon. Known for its royal saltworks, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is 250 meters above sea level.
Very touristic, the commune of Arc-et-Senans has a rich architectural heritage dominated by the saline. Pleasant and quiet, this small town of Doubs knew a human occupation since the Gallo-Roman era, as evidenced by the Roman remains found on the spot.
True city of the arts, Arc-et-Senans attracts visitors with its charm, as well as its history full of interest. Installed in nature, in a preserved environment, the town has preserved its authenticity and its values.
The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans is the main tourist attraction of the town. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts more than 130,000 visitors each year. Also classified as a Historic Monument, it was created in the 18th century and continued its activities until the end of the 19th century. Considered one of the most important in Europe, the saline is the work of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, under the orders of the King of France, Louis XV. Largely open to the public today, the site reveals the Ledoux Museum in the cooper buildings. You can admire different models of works never realized by the architect. Temporary exhibitions are also offered in the salt buildings, while concerts are punctually organized. Several buildings are still visible on the saline site, such as the bernes, the cooperage, the director's house, the graduation building and its basin, or farriery. Gardens, once cultivated by the inhabitants, are also present. They are the theater of a festival every year.
It is not less than two castles that take place on the territory of the commune of Arc-et-Senans. The castle of Roche-sur-Loue is the most important. Entirely rebuilt in the middle of the eighteenth century, it has a main body surrounded by two square towers with a roof to the imperial. Classified as Historic Monuments, it is unfortunately not possible to visit. More recent, the castle of Arc dates from 1751 and was also classified to the Historic Monuments. It has a large park of more than three hectares.
Built in 1913, the chapel of Arc was completely renovated a few years ago thanks to the generosity of the local farmers. Not far away, the chapel of the Grotto of the Essarts dates from the middle of the XIXth century. Built in stone, it takes place on a natural promontory. It is the scene of a procession every August 15th.
Rich in interest, the church of Saint-Bénigne dates from the middle of the XIXth century. Classical in style, it is inspired by the fashionable Greek-Latin architecture at that time. Inside, you can admire beautiful Italian and Flemish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Several are classified as Historic Monuments.
The forest of Chaux offers several possibilities for walks, while the banks of the Loue have been arranged for family walks. On the Chemin des Gabelous, which makes it possible to appreciate the municipality's heritage, interpretation panels facilitate understanding.
A fair takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month in the morning. A Christmas market is organized at the end of the year.
The World Fair of Fables offers readings for all ages in March.
In July and August, sound and light are offered each year.
As of 15 August, the chapel of the Grotto of the Essarts proposes a nocturnal procession.
In September, you can enjoy the hot air balloon festival with demonstrations, baptisms or fireworks.
A festival of gardens is proposed at the Royal Saltworks in September. Different activities, a fair of plants and a festival are proposed.
Rencontre Internationale de Boxe
- On 24 march 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Programme (from 4.30 pm to 11.00 pm) : - 16:30 - 17:30 : Lecture by Stéphane Hadjeras, Doctor in Contemporary History and Head of the History Department at the French Boxing Federation - Associate researcher at the Centre Lucien Febvre (EA 2273) - University of Besançon : presentation of Georges Carpentier's career and the specific features of international boxing matches. - 5.30pm - 6.30pm : Cine-concert "Le Roman de Carpentier" (1913), the first sports biopic in history, restored in 2023, with live sound by DJ Maxime Dangles. - 6.30pm - 7.30pm : Fast food - 7.30pm - 11pm : Official competition - 7 men's English boxing bouts, pitting the French youth team against the Swedish team.
Atelier : Les Fabuleux Pouvoirs du sel
- On 13 april 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Capacity : 15 people - Hosted by Diane Westphal, cultural mediator - Why do people float in the Dead Sea ? Why does salt melt the snow on the roads in winter ? - Come and try out the amazing properties of salt in five little experiments ! - Before leaving, you can enjoy a snack specially prepared by our restaurant. - Practical information - Times : 14:30-16:30 followed by a snack - Price : €12 per person - Access : all ages 6 and over - Conditions : children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com - Bookings : online at http://www.salineroyale.com subject to availability
Les p’Tits Ateliers du Printemps : Prends-en de la Graine !
- From 16 to 26 april 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Tuesday 16, Thursday 18, Wednesday 24 and Friday 26 April - Plant some seeds ! - In April, it's time to plant some seedlings. This workshop will give you tips on how to do it successfully. - Keep them warm before planting them in your garden or in a pot ! - Practical information - Times : 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm (30-minute slots) - Price : Free after payment of admission fee - Access : all ages 4 and up - Conditions : Children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information and booking (recommended) : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com subject to availability
Les p’Tits Ateliers du Printemps : La Peinture au sel
- From 17 to 25 april 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- A new season is taking place at the Saline Royale ! The permanent exhibition "Histoires de sel" (Stories of salt), the temporary exhibition "A l'affût - photography by Vincent Munier" (On the lookout - photography by Vincent Munier) and the gardens have inspired a new programme of family workshops for this spring. Our mediators will be delighted to meet you and share these fun, participative moments of discovery. - Wednesday 17, Friday 19, Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 April - Painting with salt : In this workshop, you can create your own postcard and discover the surprising effects of salt on watercolour paint. - Practical information - Times : 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm (30-minute sessions) - Admission : Free with payment of admission fee - Access : all ages 4 and up - Conditions : Children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information and booking (recommended) : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com subject to availability
Atelier : Apprenti Explorateur
- On 4 may 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Capacity : 15 people - Led by Diane Westphal, cultural mediator - Enter the images, discover the invisible : this workshop offers you a sensory immersion in the photographs in the exhibition "A l'affût - photographie de Vincent Munier" ! - In the second part of the workshop, you'll make your own kaleidoscope. - Practical information - Times : 2.30pm-4.30pm followed by a snack - Price : €12 per person - Access : all ages 6 and over - Conditions : children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com - Bookings : online at http://www.salineroyale.com subject to availability
Atelier : Impression Végétale
- On 18 may 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Capacity : 15 people - Led by Zoé Benoliel, environmental mediator - Explore the extraordinary diversity of the plant world in this workshop, during which you will be invited to choose plants from the gardens of the Saline, which you will then print on a sheet of paper using a press. You'll take your plant composition home with you ! - Before you leave, you can enjoy a snack specially prepared by our restaurant. - Practical information - Times : 2.30pm-4.30pm followed by a snack - Price : €12 per person - Access : all ages 6 and over - Conditions : children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com - Bookings : online at http://www.salineroyale.com subject to availability
Atelier : Des Nids Pour les Hirondelles
- On 1 june 2024
- D17, Saline royale
- Capacity : 12 people - Run by Jean-Marc Musset, Environmental Education Officer at the LPO and Zoé Benoliel, Environmental mediator Since the summer of 2023, a colony of swallows has taken up residence in the director's house, the central building of the Saline Royale. This workshop will be an opportunity to observe their comings and goings around their nests, and to learn how to make one to install at home or in your village, to help this protected species that is so threatened in France. - Before leaving, you can enjoy a snack specially prepared by our restaurant. - Practical information - Times : 2.30pm-4.30pm followed by a snack - Price : €12 per person - Access : all ages 6 and over - Conditions : children must be accompanied by an adult during the activity. - Information : 03.81.54.45.45 or billetterie@salineroyale.com - Bookings : online at http://www.salineroyale.com subject to availability
Electro Loue Project
- From 1 to 2 june 2024
- Grande Rue, Saline royale
- To mark its 25th anniversary, Musica'Loue, a school of contemporary music, is offering 2 concerts mixing acoustic and electronic music. Violin teacher Bastien Grossen has revisited the 'Ours Samplus Orchestra' project with more dynamic arrangements and the sounds of Sorg and Miqi O, the famous beatmakers from Biel who bring their own personal touch to the project. - Getting 80 musicians to play electro music is a real challenge, and a partnership with the music schools in Fertans (cfcma) and Ornans (emipo) is a real plus for this project. When electric guitars, euphoniums, violins, cellos, saxophones, flutes, percussion, trumpets, trombones and piano meet the world of electro, the result is a unique musical experience !