Maison de la Mine et du Tourisme de Saint-Éloy-les-Mines

About the museum

The Saint-Éloy coalfield, the largest in western Auvergne, belongs to the great coal trough of the Massif Central. Anthracite was mined here from the French Revolution until the mine closed on January 15, 1978.

The Saint-Joseph shaft was sunk in 1897. Its headframe (chevalement), 40 metres high and weighing 160 tonnes, dates from 1926; it remains the great symbol of two centuries of mining in the town and in the Combrailles.

The Maison de la Mine was built in 2011 at the foot of the headframe after a long project, and was inaugurated on the feast day of Saint Barbara. The building houses both the museum and the town’s tourist office. The route describes the daily life of miners, their trades, the risks of underground work and the evolution of techniques. An immersive room screens a film of around fifteen minutes that brings the descent into the mine to life. An outdoor courtyard displays the heaviest machinery and equipment.

Highlights

• Saint-Joseph headframe: 40 metres high, built in 1926
• Immersive room with a film of around 15 minutes on the descent into the mine
• Outdoor courtyard with large mining equipment
• Activity booklets for children and an investigation for teenagers
• Meetings with former miners for groups, by reservation

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent de la Maison de la Mine – The route tells the story of miners’ lives, their trades and extraction techniques, with an immersive room and an outdoor yard of mining equipment.

Founded

2011

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission according to the Combrailles tourist office.

Accessibility

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

Accessible to wheelchair users who can move around independently, according to the Combrailles tourist office. The neighbouring headframe is not accessible by wheelchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

A booklet for children explains coal mines through games and quizzes, and a surprise is given at the end of the visit. Teenagers can investigate an explosives theft with a booklet, and a treasure hunt on mining trades is offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Rue du Chevalement, at the Carreau Saint-Joseph (pithead site), near the town centre of Saint-Éloy-les-Mines.

Amenities & dining

The building also houses the town’s tourist office. Animals are welcome.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit