states: [france]
category: cultural
year: 1982
region: Europe and North America
latitude/longitude: 46.9375000000, 5.8763888889
The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, a UNESCO World Heritage site in France, is an 18th-century industrial complex designed for salt production. Built in a visionary semicircular layout, it reflects Enlightenment-era ideals of order and innovation. The site includes grand buildings like the Director’s House and workers’ quarters, showcasing architectural ambition. Once a vital economic hub, it used nearby brine springs to create salt. Today, it stands as a testament to France’s industrial heritage and utopian design.
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