At first, we thought it was an image generated by artificial intelligence…but then we took a closer look at this strange (and fascinating) architecture—truly remarkable—which we owe to the boldnessof a visionary architect of the Age of Enlightenment. The site was quickly added (as early as 1982) to the list of French sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the highest distinction recognizing the great masterpieces of our civilizations. Let’s discover the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans together.
The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Under the direction of Louis XV, the Royal Saltworks was built between 1775 and 1779 by architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. As surprising as it may seem, this saltworks was considered a factory at the time, and its imposing size made it one of the largest in Europe. Let’s not forget that in the 18th century, refrigerators didn’t exist: fish and meat were preserved using salt, which required enormous quantities of “white gold.”
For over a century, the plant operated at full capacity, and the Royal Saltworks functioned as a small town in its own right, where workers lived directly on site. But in 1895, it closed its doors due to new, much more efficient methods of salt harvesting. Left to decay, it was looted and partially destroyed following a fire in 1918… It wasn’t until the department took over in 1926 and several restoration projects were carried out that this facility was brought back to life! UNESCO recognized its universal value as early as 1982, before the Pont du Gard (1985) or the ramparts of Carcassonne (1997). As a side note, it is the first industrial site in the world to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A circle that finds its closure and harmony
Tired of air-conditioned shopping malls where daylight barely reaches past the parking lot entrance? Here’s another way to spend your Saturday afternoons. Because this site is full of attractions—there’s something for everyone! Today, it’s obviously open to visitors, but it also offers numerous exhibitions, outdoor movie screenings, a plant fair, a Christmas market, classical concerts, and even a music festival featuring, this year, the singer Sting!
Originally designed as a semicircle, the site has been expanded to include the missing section, creating by 2022 an absolutely remarkable and, in a sense, perfect place, as befits the harmony of the circle. To this end, over 5 hectares have been landscaped with no fewer than 30 gardens that recreate different plant environments. In the second part of the circle, a garden festival with a theme that changes every year allows visitors to discover new creations inspired by landscape architecture students. The circle is, in a sense, complete!
In short, as you can see: a place to explore at any time of year, with family or friends, that captures all the magic of our heritage. To conclude, here is the first criterion (there are 10) for a site to be included on UNESCO’s highly exclusive list: “To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.” That says it all.
