Salins-les-Bains is a village in the Jura department in Burgundy-Franche-Comté region, about 40 km south of Besançon.
The city developed in a basin at the bottom of the valley of the Furious, a stream flowing from the Loue and its prosperity was forged from the antiquity on the production of salt. A "white gold" which was also the spearhead of the commune near Arc-et-Senans, in the Doubs, the two production units being connected by a 21 km "salmon pipeline" Salt water or brine).
In the 19th century, industrial units (plasterers, sawmills, earthenware factories) were added, and in 1854 a spa establishment was opened, which in turn exploited the mineral wealth of the city's waters. This is why the very name of the city which derived its etymological origin from the word "salt" was completed in 1926 to become Salins-les-Bains.
In the twentieth century, the municipality that counted more than 8,000 inhabitants in 1800 experienced a real decline: the saline closed its doors in 1962 and the earthenware stopped their activity in 1995.
While the population is now only about 3,000 inhabitants, the city concentrates its activity on thermalism and tourism, whether linked to its industrial past or to the green natural heritage of the region.
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.
Fête de fin de Saison d'Althaïr
- On 1 june 2024
- Rue Charles Magnin, Salle Notre-Dame
- The Althaïr association invites you to its end-of-season party. - On the programme : demonstrations, discovery workshops, refreshments… - Seated massages, medicinal plant stand, zumba, astrology, participative fresco, surprise stand, etc. - Details of the programme on the website. - Free event, open to all.
Rencontre Avec Marie Pavlenko
- On 1 june 2024
- 1 place Barbarine, Le Matachin
- As part of the Dé-LIRE en Revermont festival - Meeting with Marie Pavlenko, teenagers/adults, at the Matachin bookshop in Salins les Bains about her poetry collection. By reservation only - Marie Pavlenko - She has been writing for young people since 2009. Her multi-faceted work focuses on themes of otherness, metamorphosis and the links forged with living things. An author of novels and albums, and a comic book scriptwriter, in January 2024 she published her first collection of poetry, La Main rivière, an ode to all living things, with Bruno Doucey. - A word about the festival - For its eighth edition, the Festival Dé-LIRE en Revermont has invited four authors who share a desire to question the place of human beings on Earth, particularly in their interactions with living things. They have written books, novels, stories, poetry and workshops for young and old alike. Their talents as storytellers combine the magic of storytelling with the grace of writing. Their books lend themselves wonderfully to reading aloud, the spearhead of this festival that combines discovery, sharing, joy and solidarity. Read on ! Read aloud ! Enjoy ! Live it up ! - free festival open to all
Atelier d'Illustration
- On 1 june 2024
- 8B Rue de la République, Médiathèque
- As part of the Dé-LIRE en Revermont festival - Workshop with Loren Capelli - from 6 years old - Loren Capelli - Loren Capelli is a painter, author and illustrator who has been creating children's books since 2006, but also has a passion for other arts such as engraving, screen printing and photography. Her album Cap ! Is a poetic look at a child immersed in nature. - A word about the festival - For its eighth edition, the Festival Dé-LIRE en Revermont has invited four authors who share a desire to question the place of human beings on Earth, particularly in their interactions with living things. They have written books, novels, stories, poetry and workshops for young and old alike. Their talents as storytellers combine the magic of storytelling with the grace of writing. Their books lend themselves wonderfully to reading aloud, the spearhead of this festival that combines discovery, sharing, joy and solidarity. Read on ! Read aloud ! Enjoy ! Live it up ! - free festival open to all
Blue & Compagnie
- On 5 june 2024
- 8 Rue de la République, Médiathèque
- By John Krasinski - Adventure, Comedy - USA - 1h48 - From age 7 - Bea, a young girl, discovers one day that she can see everyone's imaginary friends. And so begins a magical adventure to reconnect each child with their forgotten imaginary friend. - ecran mobile bfc
Frères
- On 5 june 2024
- 8 Rue de la République, Médiathèque
- Screening by Écran mobile, Ligue de l'enseignement BFC. - By Olivier Casas - With Mathieu Kassovitz, Yvan Attal, Alma Jodorowsky - Drama - France - 1h46 - The true story of two little boys aged 5 and 7 who, abandoned by their mother in 1948, flee into the forest. They survive there for seven years and forge a bond that will unite them forever. Decades later, the two brothers leave everything behind to find each other. But the past and their secrets catch up with them, even on the other side of the world.
Un Petit Commerce
- From 7 to 15 june 2024
- Place Aubarède, Quartier Rue Préval
- A new creation by the Théâtre du Verseau - Directed by Césaire Chatelain and Baptiste Faivre (Les Urbaindigènes) - Book by phone
Instantané
- On 7 june 2024
- 73 Rue de la République, Studio photo
- Presentation of the new book by Pascal Regaldi and Christophe Kittler - Like a magazine - Snapshots, moods and words - Photographs Pascal Regaldi - Text by Christophe Kittler - Available for sale (€25)
Initiation au Hip-Hop
- On 8 june 2024
- Local Althaïr, Place des Alliés
- Workshop for children aged 7 to 12. - A fun way to discover urban dance. - Registration required before June 2. - Althaïr Association
Les Orchestres en Scène
- On 8 june 2024
- Rue Charles Magnin, Salle Notre Dame
- Part 1 : Cadenza, l'orchestre du Coeur du Jura + l'Atelier Musiques Actuelles - Part 2 : Level 2 orchestra of the Académie du Jura - Coeur du Jura Intercommunal Music School - Musiques en Scènes
Initiation à la Naturopathie
- On 15 june 2024
- Local Althaïr, Place des Alliés de la Résistance
- Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm : - 2023 - -9 December : ENT disorders and immunity - 2024 - -27 January : a good night's sleep - -10 February : tiredness, replenishing energy - -16 March : Spring detox - -27 April : beautiful skin - -25 May : allergies, intolerances, acidosis - -15 June : feeling good about your weight - And throughout the year, practical courses : essential oils, Bach flowers, phytology, etc. - 135 € for 10 courses - Contact : Nathalie Chevassu : 06 76 13 41 26