Guide to Top Factory Tours in Europe for Families, Part I

What better way to absorb European culture than to experience firsthand the making of the products that contribute to Europe's identity?

This two-part guide describes defining European manufacturing processes, some quaint and some modern, and advises the tourist where to go to watch them. Part I describes food manufacturing tours and Part II describes manufacturing tours of factories producing non-edible consumer goods.

Salt Mines
Salt was once considered more valuable than gold. What makes salt so special? It's sought after as both a preservative and a flavor enhancer. Before the advent of refrigeration and artificial preservatives, salt was the way to keep food fresh. Finding and mining it required extensive efforts and, once mined, it was hard to transport due to its solubility. Accordingly, it was expensive.

These three saltworks from three different countries offer families visiting Europe fun-filled opportunities to explore the salt-making process at their factory tours:

Mines De Sel de Bex, Bex, Switzerland
At Mines de Sel de Bex, the salt mines owe their discovery to a goat, a thirsty goat whose preference for specific springs prompted the goat herder to wonder, then experiment, and finally discover the salt crystals. (Special note for kids: next time your teacher mentions groups whose discoveries historically have not received due credit, remember to mention goats!) Bex is a working mine and produces 150 tons of salt each day. Ride a miniature train to the heart of the mine, then complete a one-hour walking circuit through passages, shafts and caverns, discovering along the way how salt springs are identified and how rock is desalinated. If you're up for a long hike, the mines offer a choice of 5 guided tours lasting 3 ½-5 hours, some with a hot raclette, the traditional Swiss grated potato dish, at the end. Admission to the factory tour at these mines is 18 CHF for adults, and 12 CHF for children 6-16; the special family admission is 48 CHF for kids accompanied by both parents or 30 CHF for kids accompanied by only one parent. The Bex salt mines are 69 miles south of Bern.