Mines de Bruoux, Underground ochre mine complex in Gargas, France
The Mines de Bruoux is an underground ochre mine in Provence with a network of galleries carved into natural rock deposits. The tunnels display different masonry techniques with various vault styles cut directly into the ochre stone.
Mining activity began intensively in the second half of the 19th century and peaked in the early decades of the 20th century. Declining demand for natural ochre eventually led to the closure of operations.
The site tells the story of ochre extraction traditions that shaped this region for generations. Visitors can understand how this work defined the daily lives of people who lived here.
Access to the tunnels requires a guided tour with small groups to move safely through the underground environment. The passages are narrow and require climbing or crouching in some areas.
The walls display handprints and scratches from generations of miners who worked with primitive tools. These marks offer direct insight into the manual labor methods used over decades.
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