2011-09-30

Salt Festival

Inspired by finding a wild boar preserved by salt in the Pyrenean foothills, two 11th-century huntsmen founded Salies-de-Béarn. The Salt Festival (Fête du Sel), which commemorates the town's heritage, is its biggest annual event.

The truth, though more prosaic, is nonetheless remarkable from a scientific point of view. In the centre of the town is a spring, from which gushes forth water that is eight or nine times saltier than seawater. This source generated huge wealth throughout the Middle Ages, when all meat had to be preserved in salt, and the town itself has some charming antiquities.

At the festival you can take in dramatic reconstructions of ancient myths and tuck into the tastiest local produce, as well as learning everything there is to know about salt, if you're interested.

When: Sep 2011

Where: Salies-de-Béarn, France

From: whatsonwhen.com

last modification: 2011-08-22
Privacy Policy