Salomon’s Gold Mine

Jacques Salomon was a hunter from La Grave who discovered a secret gold vein near the Aiguilles d'Arves. He became incredibly wealthy, allegedly banking for the King of Piedmont-Sardinia. However, he was caught counterfeiting money with his own gold and hanged in Turin in 1718. Years later, a shepherd found the cave filled with gold but had no tools. He marked the spot with two clumps of arnica and went to Grenoble for equipment. During the night, a freezing wind "burned" the flowers. He could never find the entrance again. The mine remains hidden under the slopes of the Trois Aiguilles d'Arves.