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Centre Minier de Lewarde

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Visit the Lewarde Mining Center! Dive into the heart of the coal mines with guided tours of underground galleries and discover 300 years of mining history in Northern France.

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Centre Minier de Lewarde

Visit the Lewarde Mining Center! Dive into the heart of the coal mines with guided tours of underground galleries and discover 300 years of mining history in Northern France.

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About Centre Minier de Lewarde

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Located in Lewarde, 8 km from Douai in the Nord department, the Mining History Centre lies in the heart of the mining basin. It is situated on the site of the former Delloye pit, encompassing 8,000 m² of industrial buildings on an 8-hectare site. The centre comprises three main sections: a mining museum, a documentary resource centre housing the archives of the mining companies and the coal mines of the Nord-Pas de Calais coalfield, and a scientific culture centre dedicated to energy, placing the history of coal within the broader history of energy. Visitors can also explore the changing room, formerly used by the miners. Gradually the site took on the appearance it has today: the glass roof of the machines, the galleries and the first thematic exhibitions were installed in the 1980s. Then in the 1990s, editorial and event policies were put in place: a new title was launched in one of the two collections and several temporary exhibitions and events (dialect meetings, Night of the Museums, Heritage Days) were offered each year to the public of the Centre.

Tip for an even more exceptional visit.

The Lewarde Mining History Centre is best visited as an immersive experience into the lives of miners rather than a simple museum. The key is to follow the route as if you were experiencing a "day at work," from the changing room (with its suspended ceiling) to the reconstructed mine shafts, to truly understand the conditions, dangers, and camaraderie underground. Pay attention to the extraction machinery, the sounds, and the subterranean atmosphere, which add a real sensory dimension to the visit. Then, explore the areas dedicated to social struggles and the impact of the mine on the landscape and towns. The site's true value lies in connecting technology, the human element, and the collective memory of an entire region shaped by coal.