Fosse Notre Dame, Historic coal mine in Waziers, France.
Fosse Notre Dame is a coal mine with two main shafts, administrative buildings, and workshops built following 19th-century industrial architecture standards. The site sits surrounded by a forested slag heap, where marked paths allow visitors to explore the remains of the mining infrastructure.
Mining operations began at this site in 1856, with commercial production starting in 1860. The shaft became an important production center and witnessed both economic growth and industrial hardship.
The Notre-Dame des Mineurs Church, built in 1927, reflects how miners from different backgrounds shared this community and worshiped together. The presence of both French and Polish presbyteries shows the diversity that defined this industrial neighborhood.
The site remains are accessible via marked paths that wind through the forested grounds. Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is uneven and pathways vary in condition depending on weather.
A tragic accident in 1869 claimed lives when a transport cage fell into a flooded shaft at this site. This event left a deep mark on the mining community and reminds visitors of the dangers miners faced daily.
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