JUL to AUG 10-19, last tour 17:30.
SEP to 11-NOV 9:30-12:30, last tour 11, 14-16, last tour 16:30.
[2010]
Groups (20+): Adults EUR 5.10, Children (6-18) EUR 2.50.
[2010]
Coal Mine
| Location: | Alès. A7 Paris-Marseille exit Bollène, 70km. A9 Nice-Bordeaux exit Nîmes-Ouest, 40 km. |
| Open: |
MAR to JUN 9:30-12:30, last tour 11, 14-16, last tour 16:30. JUL to AUG 10-19, last tour 17:30. SEP to 11-NOV 9:30-12:30, last tour 11, 14-16, last tour 16:30. [2010] |
| Fee: |
Adults EUR 6.70, Children (12-18) EUR 5.50, Children (6-11) EUR 4, Children (0-5) free, Students EUR 4, Family (2+2) EUR 16. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 5.10, Children (6-18) EUR 2.50. [2010] |
| Classification: |
Coal Mine
|
| Light: | electric. |
| Dimension: | T=13-15°C |
| Guided tours: | L=700m, D=80min. |
| Photography: | |
| Accessibility: | |
| 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: |
| Last update: | $Date: 2011/12/13 08:52:18 $ |
| 1945/46 | mine opened after World War II by the Charbonnages de France (CdF). | |
| 1968 | mine closed. |
The tour through the coal mine Mine Témoin 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 elevator 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 displayng scenes of daily work life. The exhibition is divided into four different sections, which show different eras of mining technology.
This mine is rather young, it was opend 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. But the urgent need for coal diminished and so the mine was closed again only 22 years later in 1968.
This mine was never a regular coal mine, Mine Témoin means educational mine, actually a normal mine which was worked by 14 to 18 year old apprentices learning the necessary techniques for their later job as a miner. So when the crisis in the European coal mining began, it was one of the first mines to be closed. There was no need for more miners any more.
The tour is well developed, nevertheless sturdy boot and a warm sweater are advisable. Because od the rails the tour is not suitable for strollers. Hard hats are provided.
)
)
)
| Main Index | France | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Last updated Terms of Use, © Jochen Duckeck. |
Custom Search
|
 |
Maps Alphabetical Index |
|
Contact showcaves.com: |
|
General Information |