Musée de la Mine Le Molay Littry

Useful Information

Location:	Rue de la Fosse Frandemiche, 14330 Le-Molay-Littry. (49.242410, -0.878980)
Open:	APR to JUN Wed-Sun, Hol 14-18. JUL to AUG Mon, Wed-Sun, Hol 14-18. SEP to OCT Wed-Sun, Hol 14-18. [2023]
Fee:	Adults EUR 6, Children (6-18) EUR 3, Children (0-5) free. Groups (15+): Adults EUR 5, Children (3-18) EUR 3. [2023]
Classification:	Coal Mine Replica Underground Mine Mining Museum
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=100 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Musée de la Mine Le Molay Littry, rue de la Fosse Frandemiche, 14330 Le-Molay-Littry, Tel: +33-231-228910, Fax: +33-231-228910. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1759	Frandemiche mine opened.
1864	Frandemiche mine closed.
1902	museum founded.
1907	museum opened to the public
1971	mine replica opened.
1997	museum was renovated.
2020	museum modernized.

Geology

Description

The Musée de la Mine Le Molay Littry is the oldest museum in France dedicated to coal mining, and was founded in 1902. Main exhibits are modern mining equipment and a model of the fosse n°5 (shaft #5) of the Frandemiche mine in Bruay-en-Artois. There is an extraordinary steam engine built by the brothers Périen, and the chimney for the boiler. There is also a replica of a mine tunnel. One exhibition shows archaeological remains which were discovered in old wells. The tour is self-guided with an audioguide system and includes a film.

The museum was based on the collection of tools and machines of Sosthène Lefrançois at the end of the 19th century. There were generous donations by Aimé Labbey and Durand for its site and main building. But the museum had a chaotic history until 1950. From 1955, numerous expansion and improvement works were undertaken. The most spectacular addition was obviously the reconstructed mine gallery which was opened to the public in 1971. The collections were completed with objects from the coal and iron mines of northern France which were closed during the 70s. Since then two more major renovations of the museum took place, in 1997 and in 2020.