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The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans (France) [Our heritage]

The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans (France) [Heritage of Humanity #12]

Published on 03 March 2016 - Updated 15 March 2016
Cet article date d'il y a plus de 8 ans

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The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, near Besançon, was built by Claude Nicolas Ledoux. Its construction (1775-1779) during the reign of Louis XVI, was the first major achievement of industrial architecture, reflecting the ideal of progress of the Enlightenment. The vast, semicircular complex was designed to permit a rational and hierarchical organisation of work and was to have been followed by the building of an ideal city, a project that was never realised.

In 2000, UNESCO included the Loire Valley in the World Heritage of Humanity List, which reflects the wealth and diversity
of the Earth’s cultural and natural heritage. Every month Mission Val de Loire presents a different site to you which, as well as being a world heritage, is also part of our heritage.

The UNESCO listing back in 1982 also encompassed the Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains, which was active for at least 1200 years until stopping activity in 1962. It shelters an underground gallery from the 13^th century including a hydraulic pump from the 19^th century that still functions. From 1780 to 1895, its salt water travelled through 21 km of wood pipes to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans.

The Royal Saltworks now host activities for the general public: each cultural season is packed with exhibitions, garden festival, concerts, residencies for researchers, entertainment for children, symposia and innovative experiences. The Association for World Heritage Properties in France is organising a "Mediation – world heritage" training session there from 7 to 9 March 2016.