Pôle Historique Minier

Puits Hély d'Oissel - Musée de la mine du puits Hély d'Oissel

Useful Information

Location:	At Gréasque, follow signs to Puits Hély d'Oissel. ()
Open:	23-JAN to 20-DEC Wed-Sun, Hol 9-12, 14-18. Tours at 10, 14:30, 16:30. [2023]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5, Children (6-12) EUR 3, Children (0-5) free, Students EUR 4, Seniors (65+) EUR 4, Unemployed EUR 4. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 4, Children (6-12) EUR 2.50. [2023]
Classification:	Coal Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=75 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Pôle Historique Minier, Puits Hély d'Oissel, 13850 Gréasque, Tel: 0442-697700, Fax: 0442-697848.
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

1443	first written mention of coal mining in the area.
1919	start of mining at the Puits Hély d'Oissel.
1950	heydays of the mine.
1955	decline of mining.
1960	mine closed.
2000	opened to the public.

Geology

Description

The Pôle Historique Minier (Pôle Historic Mines) is located on the site of the former mine Puits Hély d'Oissel. The Puits Hély d'Oissel is one of 51 shafts which were drilled during the 18th and 20th century.

The mining started during the Middle Ages, but on a very low scale. It was intensified during the 17th and 18th century under the influence of magnate landowners. When the mines were nationalized in 1946, there were nine working mines, at Gréasque, Cadolive, Peypin, St. Savournin, Mimet, Gardanne and Meyreuil. Those mines, located in a geological structure called anticline or basin which contained the coal seams, are the topic of this museum.

In 1948 the total number of miners was 6505, which equaled about 20% of the population. Annual production was 970,000 tons, which was the third place nationwide. In 1986 there were only 894 miners left. And in 2003 the last mine, Yvon Morandat at Gardanne, is closed and mining ends. So in less than 60 years the coal mining lost its importance from being the main employer to vanishing.