White Gold

A visit to the historic saltworks immediately immerses you in the fascinating world of salt production. The famous “Sel de Salies-de-Béarn” is still produced today using traditional methods in large, open pans. This gentle process preserves the valuable trace elements and gives the salt its distinctive, mild flavor.

The Legend of the Wild Boar

The discovery of the spring is inextricably linked to a local legend. The story goes that an injured boar that had sunk into the marshes was found weeks later covered in salt crystals and perfectly preserved. This discovery drew people’s attention to the preservative power of the local water.

At the heart of the production process is the harvesting of the fine “Fleur de Sel”. As the water slowly evaporates, a delicate crust forms on the surface, which is carefully skimmed off by hand. During the tour of the saltworks, you can feel the heat, smell the salty air, and watch the salt workers at their tasks.

Today, the salt production process is not only part of the industrial heritage but is also recognized as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). It is also exclusively authorized for the production of the famous Bayonne ham. A tour of the interactive museum vividly conveys the immense value of this extraordinary “white gold”!