Musée de la mine de Blanzy

About the museum

Coal mining in the Blanzy basin is documented as early as the 16th century and expanded greatly after the Canal du Centre was built in the 18th century. Between 1810 and 2000, the basin produced more than 200 million tonnes of coal; the last shafts closed in 1992, and extraction stopped completely in 2000.

The idea of a mining museum was born in 1973 in the Blanzy municipal council. The Saint-Claude shaft site was selected in 1974, and the association La Mine et les Hommes was founded in 1975; its volunteers devoted more than 200,000 hours to the site. The museum was officially established in 1982 with the support of the Houillères de Blanzy, the commune, the State, the Region and the European Union.

The Saint-Claude shaft, dug in 1857, is preserved to a depth of 30 metres. The metal headframe, about 20 metres high, was re-erected over the shaft in 1981. The 1877 engine house contains a winding engine from 1885, and about 200 metres of galleries show the mining methods, including a longwall face with powered roof supports installed in 1982. More than 600 objects, tools, documents and machines, often in working order, are on display.

Highlights

• Saint-Claude shaft and metal headframe
• 1877 engine house with 1885 winding engine
• Lamp room: history of the miner’s individual lighting
• About 200 metres of reconstructed galleries
• Longwall face with powered roof supports, presented as unique in France
• Guided tour, sometimes led by former miners

Permanent exhibitions

• Puits Saint-Claude et chevalement – The shaft, dug in 1857 and preserved to a depth of 30 metres, with its metal headframe and several hundred metres of narrow-gauge track.
• Salle des machines et lampisterie – A 1885 winding engine in a building from 1877, and a collection of lamps tracing the history of miners’ lighting.
• Galeries et taille à soutènement marchant – About 200 metres of galleries show cutting techniques, from the pick to the powered roof supports used until 1992.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Association La Mine et les Hommes

Admission & discounts

Prices are those of the guided tour. The Pass Culture allows advance booking; the museum also mentions the Pass Découverte BFC.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

The galleries can be reached by pushchair via ramps; wheelchair access is only partial.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Family Wednesdays during school holidays offer a playful visit followed by craft workshops for families from age 4, by reservation (welcome at 09:45, workshops end between 11:30 and 12:00). The visit carries the Aventures Mômes label. The galleries are pushchair-friendly.

Getting there & parking

By car: A6, Chalon-sud exit, then RN 70 and the “Blanzy centre” exit. The museum is also accessible via the Canal du Centre, with a mooring for boats in Blanzy.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit