In ancient times, an engineer named Peccius was tasked with organizing sea salt production in Aigues-Mortes to meet the food needs of the Empire's new province.
At the end of the 17th century, 17 small salt pans were in operation in the Peccais enclosure.
They belonged to various owners who, after the severe floods of 1842, joined forces with a Montpellier merchant to found the Compagnie des Salins du Midi in 1856, known as “Salins.”
Today, ten salt workers continue a tradition passed down from generation to generation, managing the movement of the water according to the wind, storms, and salinity, and thus continuing the harvest of salt and Fleur de Sel de Camargue.
In summer, when the wind stops blowing, millions of salt crystals form on the surface of the water, giving rise to Fleur de Sel de Camargue.
In keeping with tradition, the salt workers still harvest Fleur de Sel de Camargue by hand today.
Its fine, crunchy texture brings out the flavor of the dishes it accompanies.
Used at the table or at the end of cooking, it is ideal for grilled meats, fish, and raw vegetable salads. Silky, light, and delicate, Fleur de Sel de Camargue develops its aromatic power and offers unexpected flavor.
The total surface area of the ponds is 9,800 hectares, with a salt production of around 500,000 tons per year.
The Aigues-Mortes salt marshes are the largest reserve of pink flamingos in Europe,
with 200 species of birds, including 157 protected species. Migratory birds are rarely disturbed in the vast expanses of the Camargue.
A short train ride
The salt marshes can be visited on foot, by bike, by 4x4, or even by mini train.
From Monday, March 12 to Sunday, November 11, 2018, you can hop aboard the little train for a journey of over an hour into the heart of the Salin d'Aigues-Mortes,
to discover the salt pans, the fabulous Camargue salt and its pink waters that make this place magical and exceptional. The work of the salt worker, guardian of this unspoiled, wild and generous natural environment, will hold no more secrets for you.
You can also visit the exhibition hall and climb the “camelle” for an extraordinary view of the largest salt marsh in the Mediterranean and the town of Aigues-Mortes.
Les Salins
Route du Grau du Roi
30220 Aigues Mortes
Tel.: 04 66 73 40 24
http://www.visitesalinsdecamargue.com/
