La Mine Témoin

Mine Témoin d'Alès

Useful Information

photography — Mine Témoin, France. Public Domain.

Location:	Chemin de la Cité Ste Marie, Rochebelle 30100 Alès. A7 Paris-Marseille exit Bollène, 70 km. A9 Nice-Bordeaux exit Nîmes-Ouest, 40 km. (44.132212, 4.067064)
Open:	MAR to JUN Tue-Sun 9:30-12:30, 14-18. JUL to AUG daily 10-19. SEP to OCT Tue-Sun 9:30-12:30, 14-18. [2022]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, Children (13-18) EUR 6.50, Children (6-12) EUR 5.50, Children (0-5) free, Former Miner EUR 5.50. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 5.50. [2022]
Classification:	Coal Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=650 m, T=13-15 °C.
Guided tours:	L=700 m, D=80 min, Max=30, St=40. Helmets provided. Guided tours in Friday afternoons JUL and AUG.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	No, mine train rails on the floor.
Bibliography:
Address:	Mine Témoin d'Alès, Chemin de la Cité Ste Marie, Rochebelle 30100 Alès, Tel: +33-466-304515, Fax: +33-466-615826. 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

1230	Benedictine monks mined the coal in the area.
1840	beginning of coal mining, carbon mines of this area power the industrialization of France.
1945/46	mine opened after World War II by the Charbonnages de France (CdF).
1968	mine closed.
1985	mining museum opened to the public.

Geology

The Cévennes Coal Basin is shaped like a triangle north of Alès. Around the Rouvergue gneissic massif there are three main basins: Grand'Combe with Charbon maigre and anthracite coals to the west, Bessèges to the east and Rochebelle to the south, both with normal black or hard coal which is called charbons gras in French Like in other coal basins of France, the coal forms seams in continental detrital sedimentary strata from the Carboniferous period. In other words, there were huge forests in basins forming peat layers, which were frequently covered by other sedimentary rocks like sand and gravel. The result is a series of thinner and thicker almost horizontal seams.

Description

The tour through the coal mine Mine Témoin (Witness Mine) at Alès includes 20 minutes of introductory film and a one-hour-long underground tour. The underground tour starts with the headframe, which brings visitors into the mine. The lift is actually not original, it was constructed for the show mine. Underground is a series of passages which contains exhibits like mining machinery and mannikins displaying scenes of daily work life. The exhibition is divided into four different sections, which show different eras of mining technology.

This coal mine is rather young, it was opened by the French government after World War II. In this time the country, which was devastated after six years of war, nationalized the mines. The coal mines were unified in the Charbonnages de France (CdF). In 1946, 22,000 people worked for the local branch of the CdF, the Houillères du Bassin des Cévennes (HBC). They produced 2,4 million tons of coal.

This mine was never a regular coal mine, Mine Témoin means that it was an educational mine. It was a real coal mine which was worked by 14 to 18-year-old apprentices learning the necessary techniques for their later job as a miner. They produced coal, but this was not the main goal. When the crisis in the European coal mining began, this was one of the first mines to be closed. There was no need for more coal miners any more, so mining education was stopped. This mine was closed after only 22 years in 1968.

This mine was used for the mining museum because it already differed from other mines. Different mining techniques were taught, so there were examples of different technologies close together. It shows mining technology from the early days because this was taught to the apprentices. But as it was closed in the late sixties, the exhibition of mining technology ends here, newer techniques are not shown. Another important fact is that it was not used to mine massive amounts of coal, more

The tour is well developed, nevertheless, sturdy boots and a warm sweater are advisable. Because of the rails of the mining train, the tour is not suitable for strollers. Helmets are provided.

The mine is mainly horizontal except for 20 steps. Facilities include picnic area, free parking, shop with souvenirs, books, mining lamps, fossils ferns.

The mine is a good example of the state of the earth during the carboniferous era. Five passages representing the five epochs of mining between 1880 and 1960 allowing visitors to understand the spectacular developments which have taken place in mining over the last century. The commentary and anecdotes of the guides add a human dimension to the visit. The work here has ensured that this remains an authentic place reflecting the work of miner for years to come. Since its commencement as a mine in 1840, the coal of the regions has provided work for the inhabitants and brought prosperity to the area. At the height of its productivity in 1947, the mine employed 23,000 workers.

Text by Tony Oldham (2003). With kind permission.