salin d'aigues-mortes

QueenZebra

Who would have thought that sitting on a little train driving around flat terrain looking at piles of salt would be so enjoyable? We didn't even get to see it before the harvest, so not even at it's best, but I really found the trip and the description of how salt is extracted and processed really interesting (I speak French). The driver gives the commentary entirely in strongly accented southern French, so not so good for non-French speakers. The little museum was fun also and I particularly loved the salt products sold, especially the retro blue tins of La Baleine salt (named after the shape of the large salt mounds). We went with four children aged 2-10, and they had a great time.

FelizPortenia

I found the visit worthwhile as you learn of how they take salt water to obtain salt, how it is cleaned and stored. You need to drive to the site, park and then purchase your ticket to board a little train that takes you around the marshes to see all the process. Tickets are sold with a specific departure time, usually about 15 minutes later so there is no need to wait in line, everyone issued a ticket for 4 pm, let's say, will get on at 4 pm. Before you get on the train it is good to go to the adjacent tents to learn about the different salts, etc. I learned that Fleur de Sel is not use while cooking as it doesn't dissolve, but sprinkled over your dishes as it gives a salty and crunchy taste. Unfortunately, the tour is only done in French so you don't enjoy it fully if you don't understand the language. They could do it in both French and English but somehow this does not happen. Nice view of the pink marshes, the flamingos and the castle. Take your camera.

trip_dampener

An unscenic drive around the muddy industrial roads of the salt works. It was difficult to obtain any real understanding of the salt making process and from an educational point of view, it's of limited use. The pink waters of some of the salt pans were interesting, as were the flamingoes and the views of Aiges Mortes. The experience wasnt helped by some unpleasant staff and an overpriced gift shop selling er salt related products.

devondumpling08

Worth a visit on the little train that takes you around the saltpans very interesting visit. A sheet of the commentary was given to us in English if you don't speak French

RIchard035

A little land train takes you on a tour around the salt marshes. You see all the stages in the process that takes sea water and turns it into salt. There are some spectacular views of the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes and of he marshes themselves with their beautiful pink colours. There is a commentary in French but you are provided with a written translation in English. The train stops at a small museum during the tour and there is a gift shop at the start/end. We read reviews that warned of mosquitos but we didn't notice any. I would very much recommend this if you are in the area. It is suitable for all ages - our 7 and 10 year-old children enjoyed it.

Gianle

It is really interesting this visit since you can admire many natural beauties and also understand how complex and difficult is the production of salt. Highly raccomanded!

wkdwtch

We enjoyed our trip to the salt mines overall. The mini train was pleasant and the morning train was not too hot. Wear mosquito repellent! Trip takes about one hour. For those who do not speak French, you are given an English translation to read, but it is not as compelling as it would be to hear it spoken, or to be able to ask questions to a guide. That was the only downside. I assume they don't get that many English speakers.... I don't know, we got the gist of what was going on and we enjoyed it.

Dutchgirl70

Arrived at 11.15 intending to take the 11.30 train, but it was full. So we bought tickets for the14.00 train. Got there on time. Had some time to browse the shop, which was great for stocking up on salt. What a great souvenir; practical and the salt comes in several beautiful tins and packaging.Again a fully packed train, be prepared to be crammed with 4 adults on a small bench!As others have mentioned, the tour is in french. Upon request you can take a translated brochure. In my experience, with tours like these, I try not to listen too much but take in my surroundings. The technical information eludes me anyhow, so why bother taking it all in?It was a nice trip. 3/4 through we stopped at a small museum and shop which was charming. Ten minutes later we boarded again to make our way back.The landscape is very interesting, with the bassins changing colour depending on the different phases of the salt mining.We took our 3 year old daughter who was excited by the thought of going on a train, but the tour itself isn't really suited for small children.All in all an hour and a half well spent. Along with some €'s for the salt ;-)

MaryJ35

We took the private jeep safari for 2 adults and 3 children. It was a fantastic way to learn about the salt lakes as well as see the beautiful nature. We saw lots and lots of beautiful flamingoes. Our guide spoke English and was very accommodating to stop every time we wanted to take a photo. This whole area is private and on our trip we didn't run into anyone else. I would highly recommend this trip if you are visiting the area.

jeanp22002

Total disappointed . only one train SCHEDULED in afternoon time and already fully booked,Despite numerous people here ,came over one hour ahead .Employees refused to add another ballad. So reserve ! I wonder whether those company also really know salt price cause at their shop it is overpriced than in any supermarket for same stuff . La baleine gold salt ! Toilet are very dirty ,malfunctioning . I would not recommend . Sometimes I wonder whether France like tourists .

Daisy3178

OK - the salt area is interesting and normally I really like this sort of experience, but once you have seen one salt "field" you have seen them all. The one and a half hour trip becomes very "samey". In October we saw some flamingos but why, oh why, didn't the driver stop so we could take photos? He stopped just the once to take photos looking back at the ramparts of Aigues Mortes but could have given many more photo opportunities. To be fair we could take pictures at the information stop after an hour but we were herded into the centre and encouraged to buy and I had to find my own way outside to take photos.Tannoy on train in French but we did have English information sheets to read and in the information centre many info posters also had English on them. Would I take friends on this? No.

shakedl

Nice store at the end, where you can buy different kinds of salts and rice, other then that, tour is in french, also the museum.

sarahandrews75

This was a great way to spend a morning. There were 3 generations in our party and all equally enjoyed it. We got the first train at 10am and were finished at just after 11.30am - just long enough for the little ones. We all found the process of how the salt is extracted from the water very interesting, we had a good guide in English to read on the way round and the stop about 2/3 of the way through to see the 'museum' breaks the train journey in just the right place. The only caution I would give is beware of the mosquitoes in the wooded area when you are queuing at the ticket office/waiting for the train. Spray before you go!!

ynis

A tour with the little train amid the salt ponds : you can see the pink colours of the waters, and if you are lucky enough, birds and flamingoes. The view on the antique city of Aigues- Mortes is stunning from there. Provided you speak French you will learn everything upon the salt "culture" here in Aigues-Mortes.

MontChanais

We decided to visit "Les Salins d'Aigues-Mortes" a vast salt production site in the Carmargue. We booked a trip in a small train and spent one and a half hours visiting the salt plains. It was a very interesting visit and we could learn a lot about the salt production. The one negative point (the reason why I cannot give a 5 point rating) is the high price one has to pay to take the train (9 EUR per person).