Salies de Béarn - The Venice of Béarn
Salies de Béarn is a picturesque town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France. It is affectionally called the Venice of Béarn because of its canals that meander through the town under overhanging half-timbered houses and ancient buildings.
Salies de Béarn is famous because of its thermal spas that are feed with the naturally occurring high content salt water from the springs under the town. There is more however to this lovely town than just the popular thermal spas and salt water medicinal treatments. I've put together a list of the top things to do in Salies de Béarn so you can make sure you don't miss a thing when you visit the Venice of Béarn.
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Top Things to Do and See in Salies de Béarn
Crypt of Bayaà - Mysterious and unusual
Often called the jewel of the city, the crypt of Bayaà is the most visited place in the city. It's located just under the main square which makes this "mysterious and unusual place" (Le Guide Bearn-Pyrenees) an easy attraction to visit.
The crypt was initially an old well located in the open air and fed by spring water. It was later covered with a vault in the 19th century. First discovered in 1830, it was used by the Compagnie Thore, which then became the property of the Parts Prenants of the Saltwater spring of Salies de Béarn.
Saltwater from the crypt spring used to feed the saltworks of the town. Now the spring of Queen Jeanne d’Oraàs is the one that feeds the Saltworks of Salies de Béarn via an 8 km pipe. After a period of disuse it was decided to open up the crypt for tourism, so the water was drained.
Saltworks of Salies de Béarn
Les Salines on the edge of town is where the salt is harvested after being diverted from the spring of Queen Jeanne d'Oraàs along its 8 km pipe.
The Saltworks is open to visit so you can observe the salt being harvested. There are also panels and a film that traces the history of this important commodity for the region.
A boutique with a range of gourmet products that are made using the town's salt are for sale including ham, salted butter caramel, pâtés and more.
Thermal Spas of Salies de Béarn- Be rejuvenated
The thermal baths of Salies de Béarn are within a magnificent Moorish-style building. The striking building is opposite the green public garden which, because of its large shady trees, offers a year round pleasant spot to rest. If visiting the town with children, this is a perfect spot to rest, eat a picnic or let the kids blow off some steam.
All manner of ailments are said to benefit from the unique mineralization of this town's salty water. I've read that there are 26 mineral elements and trace elements that give the waters of Salies de Béarn its medicinal properties. People attend for treatment for rheumatology, gynaecology/female sterility and developmental disorders in children.
Photo courtesy of Jo de Magneval Photography
Salies à Paître - Open air Painting Competition
This major open air painting competition runs throughout a weekend usually mid-July each year with around 100 artists painting the city of Salies de Béarn. Artists paint as they see and feel the city so the artwork is wonderfully varied. Works of art are created right before your eyes on the streets and you can vote for your favourite.
There is also a kids painting competition that runs parallel to the adults competition which sounds fun to watch. Who knows, you might even be able to watch the next child genius or Renoir in action!
Art galleries and exhibitions of local artists and works by those competing draw quite a crowd. Many artworks are for sale ready to purchase and take home.
Typical residential street in Salies de Béarn
Visit the Musée du Sel - Salt Museum
The Museum of Salt was created by the Friends of Old Salies Association to preserve the historical heritage of Sailes de Béarn and its surroundings. The Association manages the museum and decided to locate it in the historical 17th century Darremoundine House.
The museum is small by typical museum standards with three floors incorporating a salt processing workshop, geological collections from the region and fun workshops for children and the young at heart!
As like many museums, there is a gift shop for souvenirs of your visit and locally produced products using the salt of Salies de Béarn.
Saint Vincent Church, Salies de Béarn
Saint Vincent Church
The church's architecture comes from a chapel that already existed in the 11th century. Since then however, it has changed quite a bit due to building enlargements and part of it being burnt down. It was rebuilt in the Flamboyant Gothic style and boasts an altar dating back to the 18th century.
Walk the Green Path
Another option for family visits to Salies de Béarn is to walk the 8 km greenway that follows the old railway line. You can walk from the River Gave d'Oloron to the Eiffel bridge in Castagnède in the shade and on a flat path.
As you wander the town also watch out for the ruins of Saint Pé castle which are right next to the main square. Keep an eye out for the town's millennium commemorative fountain built in 1927 and the ancient half-timbered houses with their overhanging walls and colourful flower boxes.
Useful Information
You might like to read our guest post by photographer Jo de Magneval who lives in, and photographs this stunning region. Jo initially planned to live in the region part time, but fell in love so much, she relocated the family permanently to Salies de Béarn.
Le Guide to Béarn-Pyrenees - https://www.guide-bearn-pyrenees.com/en/do-it-your-way/culture-and-heritage/article-salies-de-bearn-the-venice-of-bearn-75.html
Official Tourism Website of Salies de Béarn - https://www.salies-de-bearn.fr/fr/
Le Sel de Salies de Béarn website - http://www.sel-salies-de-bearn.com/en/le-sel-de-salies-de-bearn/un-sel-de-source/
Thermes de Sailes de Béarn website - https://www.thermes-de-salies.com/ - for opening times, costs and to book therapeutic and beauty treatments, spa and pool attendances etc.
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