Mines de Sel de Bex

Name: Mines de Sel de Bex
Address: Rte des Mines de Sel 55, 1880, Bex, Bex, 1880, CH
Telephone: +41 24 463 03 30

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Landmarks ·Bex ·Open now

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#1Things to do in Bex Canton of VaudMost reviewed in BexTravelers' Choice

Visit: about 2 h

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About

Mines de Sel de Bex is an active salt mine with an underground visitor area, north of Bex in the canton of Vaud, at the entrance to the Gryonne river valley.

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Mines de Sel de Bex — Mines de Sel de Bex, landmark

Why go

Ride the Miners’ Train into the mountain.
Explore Switzerland’s oldest active mine.
Tour part of the mine’s 15 km of galleries.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 16:30Show all

Monday09:00 – 16:30

Tuesday09:00 – 16:30

Wednesday09:00 – 16:30

Thursday09:00 – 16:30

Friday09:00 – 16:30

Saturday09:00 – 16:30

Sunday09:00 – 16:30

Know before you go Tips for your visit Best time to visit With kids

Know before you go

Guided tours generally run in French, with scheduled German tours.
Private tours or groups of at least 25 may have tours in German, English or Italian, subject to availability.
The SmartGuide app provides written and audio commentary in European languages and several others.
Animals are prohibited inside the mine, except assistance dogs.

Tips for your visit

Arrive at the reception building 15 minutes before your tour.
Allow 2–3 hours overall; the guided tour itself lasts two hours.
Bring warm clothing and wear comfortable footwear.

Best time to visit

Underground temperatures stay at 18 °C throughout the year, so conditions inside are consistent across seasons.

With kids

The tour is recommended for children aged four and older.
Children under six may use the slide only with an adult.

Interesting facts4

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The full labyrinth of tunnels and shafts extends about 50 km.
Salzbergwerk Bex - Wikipedia
30,000 tonnes
The mine extracts 30,000 tonnes of salt a year.
Salzbergwerk Bex - Wikipedia
SEL DES ALPES is produced exclusively at the Bex saltworks.
Saline de Bex - Wikipedia
Salt is extracted daily using sustainable methods.
⚒️ Mines de Sel de Bex | Salina Helvetica

Shorts

History

Geological originsAn ancient sea retreated, leaving salt deposits that mixed with rock and moved into the mountain as the Alps rose.
16th centurySalt springs were discovered at Salin sur Ollon. Nicolas de Graffenried began exploiting the Panex mines near Ollon; his son Jean-Rodolphe continued the work.
1544Berne granted Nicolas de Graffenried a ten-year salt-mining concession.
1680Tunnels were driven into the mountain to extract salt.
Mid-18th centuryThe mines became an excursion destination.

Show all

19th centuryNew techniques increased salt production.
Around 1860On-site rock desalination began.
1877Thermocompression was introduced for salt production.
1943An electric power station replaced coal, which had previously replaced firewood.

How to get there

90 minOn footFrom Bex station, follow the yellow hiking signs towards Le Bouillet. The mines are 4.6 km away; the walk takes 90 minutes.
BusTPC bus lines 119 and 152 stop at Bex, Mines de Sel.
CarTake the A9 Bex exit; the mines are a short drive away. Parking is in front of the building.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access Visitors must be able to move through the mine without a wheelchair, walking aid or stroller.
Visited areas lit and ventilated

Sources: Saline de Bex - Wikipedia · Villars-sur-Ollon - Wikivoyage (see) · ⚒️ Mines de Sel de Bex | Salina Helvetica · Nouvelle visite des Mines de Sel de Bex · 🗺️ Accès aux Mines | Salina Helvetica · Salzbergwerk Bex - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026

Where

Rte des Mines de Sel 55, 1880, Bex

Website: mines.ch/
Phone: +41 24 463 03 30

Plan from here: A day out →

Where to stay nearby

Hotels Hotel Chez Mantisi 4.9 ★ 10 · 1.7 km

Questions and answers

When are the Mines de Sel de Bex open?

They are open daily from 09:00 to 16:30.

What does the Mines de Sel de Bex saltworks produce?

Fine salt, Fleur des Alpes, organic seasoning blends and organic herb salt.

Who operates the Mines de Sel de Bex?

The visitor mine is part of an operation run by Schweizer Salinen AG. The mines and saltworks have belonged to Salines Suisses SA since 2014.

How many people worked at the Mines de Sel de Bex historically?

The mines employed 360 workers between 1803 and 1860.

How can I contact the Mines de Sel de Bex?

Call +41 24 463 03 30.

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