Hiking: Exploring the South Coron, Salin-de-Giraud

Depart from the town of Arles, latitude 43.4161700 (N 43° 24’ 58”), longitude 4.7345400 (E 4° 44’ 4”)

• The Solvay coron

• The Coron Solvay was built between 1896 and 1902 by the Belgian company that imported its red brick architectural model. This model replicated the hierarchy of the company in the director's house at the bands of working-class houses. The paternalistic enterprise built a hospital, a school group, a post office, a cinema, a sports field, arenas and the Solvay Circle for its employees.

• Crossing the Rhone

• The crossing of the Rhône was possible as early as 1933 thanks to a first winch ferry. But it was destroyed during the Second World War. The new diesel tank did not come into action until 1955. A railway ferry for the transport of salt was created in 1957. The fourth and fifth Barcarin ferry were installed in 1987 and 2012 allowing the current crossing from one bank of the river to the other.

• The birth of Salin-de-Giraud

• Towards the end of the 19th century, the establishment of the Péchiney and Solvay factories, specialized in salt mining, contributed to the birth of Salin-de-Giraud. Previously, Cistercian monks settled there temporarily in the 12th century, but it was not until the middle of the 19th century that 5000ha was set up by the Henri Merle company and the Solvay company followed suit. Local, Italian, Armenian and Greek labours were used to exploit salt. These communities are still present today with the company of the Salins du Midi.