Musée des Mines de Fer de Neufchef

Ecomusée des Mines de Fer de Lorraine


Useful Information

Location: 2 rue du musée, 57700 Neufchef.
North of Neufchef. Motorway A30 Metz-Longwy exit Hayange. Follow signs to Hayange, signposted from town centre.
(49.325461, 6.027255)
Open: All year Tue-Sun 14-18, last entry 16.
[2020]
Fee: Adults EUR 9, Children (6-18) EUR 5, Students EUR 3.
Groups (10+): Adults EUR 8, Children (6-18) EUR 4.
[2023]
Classification: MineIron Mine TopicÉcomusée
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: L=1,000 m.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: yes
Bibliography:
Address: Ecomusée des Mines de Fer de Lorraine, 2 Rue du Musée, 57700 Neufchef, Tel: +33-382-857655, Fax: +33-38445-10. 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


Geology


Description

The Musée des Mines de Fer (Iron Mining Museum) at Neufchef is located on historic soil: there were remains of iron mining found here from Gallo-Roman times. The museum has a show mine, an abandoned tunnel of the iron mine which was mined since about 200 years ago for 150 years until the mid 20th century. The tour through the mine gives interesting insights into the history of the mining of the red and yellow minette ores, after which the miners were calledgueules jaunes (yellow faces). The mine contains historic and more modern machinery, including heavy machinery powered by compressed air, diesel or electricity. A lot of this machinery is operational and demonstrated by the guides who are former iron miners.

The underground tour is completed by a visit to the mining museum on premises. The three permanent exhibitions are dedicated to the geology of the area, the miners work life and its dangers, and the miners private life. There is a lot of documents revealing how the miners lived but also exhibits showing their living rooms or kitchens. The tour ends with a black and white film of historic material. The open air part around the museum shows numerous examples of mining machinery like mine train and ore hauler.