Fête du Sel

The Fête du Sel: tribute to the "white gold" of Salies-de-Béarn

Every September, Salies-de-Béarn celebrates its most precious heritage during the Fête du Sel, a four-day event that pays homage to the millennial history of the spa town's salt. Since 1980, the Jurade du Sel has organized this popular event that keeps Béarn traditions alive in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

A history of salt and tradition

The salt of Salies-de-Béarn has been exploited since antiquity. Legend has it that a wounded wild boar was found covered in salt crystals, thus revealing the salt spring that would make the town's fortune. The Fête du Sel perpetuates this tradition by celebrating the founding role of salt in the identity of Salies-de-Béarn, particularly its use in the production of the famous Bayonne ham.

A four-day festive program

Opening evening

The festival begins on Thursday evening with a cantère (singing evening) with the Orphéon, tales and stories about personalities linked to Béarn, a retrospective of the previous edition, and the official opening of the festival on the Bayaà square. A bandas festival livens up the evening with a bar and fast food.

Craft market and activities

Friday is dedicated to the craft market in the shaded streets of Salies, with local products and crafts. Activities for children are offered around the public garden. In the afternoon, the Trottisel (scooter races) and the herrades and herradinettes race (traditional wooden buckets) at the Bayaà liven up the streets. A big musical evening concludes the day.

Float parade

Sunday is the highlight of the festival with the parade of brotherhoods, villages, and associations in the morning, followed by the investitures of personalities at the Bayaà. In the afternoon, a parade of 19 decorated floats accompanied by bandas crosses the streets of Salies. The day concludes with the world championship of sameaux carriers, the famous wooden buckets of Salies.

The Jurade du Sel

The Fête du Sel is organized by the Jurade du Sel, a brotherhood that guarantees the salt traditions of Salies-de-Béarn. Founded to perpetuate the memory of salt and its trades, the Jurade brings together enthusiasts who work voluntarily throughout the year to prepare this major event in Salies' cultural life.