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64270 Salies-de-Béarn
All about Salies-de-BéarnSalies-de-Béarn
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Salies-de-Béarn : Pont de la Lune [click to enlarge]Domaine-de-Lavie is close to the town of Salies-de-Béarn. This picturesque town takes its name from the Saleys - a small tranquil river which snakes past quaint 17th and 18th-century half-timbered buildings, some of which stand on pillars on the river banks. The famous "thermes" in Salies are reputed to cure all sorts of ailments. The thermal baths are open to the public for beauty treatments, as well as for the healing properties of the spas.
Salies-de-Béarn is known as the City of Salt. Every year, the Fête du Sel takes place during the second week of September. The whole town takes part in celebrating what they call "White Gold". During the fête, salt is taken from the river and used to cure delicious Bayonne ham.River Sauve [click to enlarge]
A summer evening in Salies-de-Béarn [click to enlarge]The weekly Salies market is the place to buy delicious fresh produce all year round, although many of the local delicacies can be sampled at local fêtes which are held throughout the spring, summer and autumn. The fêtes normally last several days and celebrate anything from "garbure" (the local soup) to "pipérade" (a Basque pepper stew) - all seasoned with Salies salt, of course!
Salies-de-Béarn
Salies-de-Béarn
Salies-de-Béarn
A little history...
Salies-de-Béarn is thought to date back to at least 1500BC. During the Bronze Age, a group of people settled in a muddy swamp without knowing they were actually living in a salt marsh. Salies grew in importance when the "white gold" was discovered and subsequently extracted. In 1523, much of the town was destroyed by a fire started by Spanish soldiers. In the second half of the 19th century, the "thermes" at Salies became a major draw for visitors - and remain so today. The thermal waters are enriched with salt and minerals and are said to miraculously cure certain medical problems, notably rheumatic diseases.

Salt
A local legend recounts the story of how salt was originally discovered at Salies. Hunters injured a boar which then managed to cross a muddy marsh before dying a little further on. When found, the dead animal's body had been completely preserved (by the salt) and was encrusted with salt crystals - and even today, salt from Salies is still used to cure the local Bayonne ham! From 4BC to 1BC, relics show that the Gallo-Romans definitely extracted salt at Salies - and the discovery of a pan for making salt dates back as far as 9AD. In 1841, salt works were built and salt-making in Salies finally became a major commercial business for the town.

Things to see
Eglise Saint Vincent (14th-century church); the River Saleys; the Place du Bayàà; Maison Montesquiut.

Things to do
"Fête du Sel" (2nd week of September); Musée du Sel (Salt Museum); the thermal baths.
CommuneSalies-de-Béarn
Population4759
Area5208 ha (20.1 sq miles)
Altitude56 m (184 ft)
Département64
RégionAquitaine
Useful contacts
Office de Tourisme
Office de Tourisme
Tourisme département 64
Tourisme département 64
Préfecture
Préfecture
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