Le Pass, Science museum in Frameries, Belgium

Le Pass, now called SPARKOH!, occupies the Crachet colliery site in Frameries, where a red-brick and grey-steel complex stands on concrete pillars above an open ground-level colonnade. The French architect Jean Nouvel renovated several buildings, following the old coal route, and a grey lattice headframe with an enclosed platform and pulley wheel rises behind the brick halls. The museum covers 12,000 m², with a 28-hectare park beside it.

Coal was mined at the Crachet site from the 13th to the 17th century, and from the 18th century under Nicolas Piérache. The last shaft, no. 11, closed on 16 July 1960; the site was listed by the Walloon Region in 1989. Jean Nouvel won the 1997 European competition and the science centre opened in May 2000 as the Pass, renamed SPARKOH! on 25 September 2021.

The name Crachet comes from the oil lamp miners used until the late 18th century. The site was renamed SPARKOH! in September 2021, replacing Pass. The steel headframe now holds a panoramic lift that takes visitors to 64 metres.

The museum spans large indoor and outdoor areas, so comfortable walking shoes are helpful as you explore different sections. Plan to spend a good amount of time and check opening hours before visiting, as schedules can vary by season.

The site includes a terril, a former coal slag heap, that now functions as an outdoor learning area and gives visitors a tangible connection to mining history. This elevated landscape feature is fully integrated into the museum experience rather than simply preserved as a relic.