THE SALT PRODUCTION PROCESS AT ARC-ET-SENANS
The general principal was that salty water was sent to the Royal Saltworks from Salins-les-Bains, 20 kilometres away. The water was then evaporated, first in a large pool (no longer in existence) and then in large pans heated by burning wood from the surrounding forest, and the remaining salt collected.
The site was chosen because of the proximity of the forest - it was easier to transport the water here through pipes than to transport the wood to Salins-les-Bains. The site continued to manufacture salt until 1895, then fell to ruin until 1927 when it was bought by the local department. Several phases of reconstruction and renovation followed.
EXPLORING THE ROYAL SALTWORKS