Parc des Titans

Useful Information

Location:	81450 Le Garric. (44.016382, 2.136137)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Coal Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System Open Cast Mining
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:
Address:	Parc des Titans, 81450 Le Garric. Cap'Découverte, 81450 Le Garric, Tel: +33-563-80-29-00. 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

1997	Charbonnages de France closes the Carmausin coal mine.
1997	pôle multi loisirs de Cap’Découverte opened.

Geology

Description

The Parc des Titans (Titans' Park) is a sort of open air museum. Actually it is simply a spot on a hill where the huge coal mining machinery was put when the open cast mine Carmausin Coal Mine was closed and recultivated. As such it is free to visit, but there is no infrastructure at all. The site is now called Cap Découverte, or actually pôle multi loisirs de Cap’Découverte and has an artificial lake in the open cast, a restaurant, a hostel, and a huge photovoltaic power station.

The open cast has a diameter of 1,300 m and is 230 m deep. Today wild fauna and flora has transformed the former open-air coal mine into a rich and natural place. 700 hectares, 45 km of marked trails, 35 km of paved trails accessible to bicycles, scooters or rollerblades. There are 25 shaded picnic areas.