Musée-mine départemental
Coal museum of the Tarn: exhibition rooms and 300 metres of mine galleries, with a descent by cage, on the site of the former Campgrand pit.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée-mine départemental is the last surviving on-site witness to coal mining in the Tarn. Located in the heart of the former Carmaux–Albi mining basin in Cagnac-les-Mines, it sheds light on seven centuries of coal history from both a technical and a social perspective.
The museum is run by the Tarn Departmental Council. It reopened after two years of works, with a new reception area, a new shop space, a redesigned visitor route and renovated mine galleries. The displays use new technologies for sound and lighting.
Wearing helmets, visitors descend by cage into the underground galleries for a one-hour guided tour about the work of underground miners. The permanent and temporary exhibition rooms can be visited freely and also explain the uses of coal, notably the coke used to produce steel at Saint-Juéry.
Highlights
- Descent by cage into the underground galleries
- 300 metres of reconstructed mine galleries
- One-hour guided tour on the work of underground miners
- Exhibition rooms on seven centuries of coal history
- Renovated displays with sound and light
Permanent exhibition
- Galeries de mine et salles sur l’histoire du charbon – After the cage descent, the galleries show the work of underground miners; the exhibition rooms trace the history of the coal basin and the uses of coal.
- Operated by
- Département du Tarn
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for visitors under 18. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Groups of 15 people or more, by appointment. |
Standard rate €8, reduced rate €5.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 reconstructed galleries are not accessible to people with reduced mobility, but a visit using a digital tablet is offered instead. The cage descent is not recommended for pregnant women, who can also use the tablet. The permanent exhibition, the temporary exhibitions and the outdoor areas are accessible to everyone.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car park and coach parking, as listed in tourist guides.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
New shop space; public toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guided tour of the galleries lasts about one hour; the exhibition rooms can be visited freely before or after. The Département offers a catalogue of school educational activities. |
