Bois-du-Luc – Musée de la Mine et du Développement Durable

About the museum

Coal is recorded in the Centre region from the late 13th century, but mining took on an industrial character in the 17th century: on 14 February 1685 coal masters, merchants and lawyers founded the Société du Grand Conduit et du Charbonnage de Houdeng, one of the oldest capitalist companies, to solve the problem of draining groundwater. In 1846 the Saint-Emmanuel pit was opened, and the company set up its head office, offices, workshops and stores there.

Between 1838 and 1882 the company built 166 workers' houses, arranged in a trapezoid around the site. Production continued after the war, but the ECSC decisions of 1959 led to the closure of the pit, and the company ceased all activity in 1973.

The non-profit Écomusée du Bois-du-Luc, founded in 1983, and GABOS, created in 1975, work to safeguard the site. Le Bois-du-Luc was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2012, together with Grand-Hornu, Bois du Cazier and Blegny-Mine, as one of the last mining villages preserved in its entirety. On 16 March 2018 the Écomusée became the Musée de la Mine et du Développement Durable, which links mining history with sustainable development.

The visit covers the workshop courtyard and the Saint-Emmanuel pit; a guided tour adds a miner's house. Wooded slag heaps surround the site, which have become natural areas.

Highlights

• Mining site on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2012
• Workshop courtyard and Saint-Emmanuel pit, opened in 1846
• Mining village of 166 workers' houses built between 1838 and 1882
• Guided tour with a miner's house, and sensory tour for visually impaired visitors
• Slag heaps around the site, now natural areas

Permanent exhibition

• Site minier du Bois-du-Luc – Visit of the workshop courtyard and the Saint-Emmanuel pit, the former headquarters of the coal company; the guided tour adds a miner's house.

Founded

1983

Operated by

ASBL Bois-du-Luc – Musée de la Mine et du Développement Durable

Admission & discounts

Free admission: From 1 April to 1 October, free admission on the first Sunday of every month (groups excluded).

The site visit takes about 2 hours. Article 27: €1.25. Free with the museumPASSmusées. Pass Visit Wallonia and 365.be: 20% discount. Temporary exhibitions: €3 extra with the site visit (€5 on their own for adults). An older accessibility page gives a price of €4; the prices above come from the “Tarifs et offres” page.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Drop-off point for people with reduced mobility; guide dogs welcome; guided sensory tour and individual visit for visually impaired visitors; on prior request, reception staff can accompany visitors to the nearest bus stop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Totemus treasure hunt, “Défis du Bois-du-Luc” challenges and workshops and courses for children (time explorer courses, egg hunt); 50% discount per child from the second child.

Getting there & parking

By car: E19/E42 motorway, exit 21 Le Rœulx; free car park.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Hot drinks and souvenirs at reception; museum shop with local products. Bicycle hire on site (€20 deposit per bike).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit