Chevalement du puits Sainte Marie, Mining headframe monument in Ronchamp, France.
The Sainte-Marie shaft headframe is a mining hoist tower built with reinforced concrete and post-beam structure, featuring a rectangular hall topped by a sloped roof. The site contains original mining equipment including a locomotive and railway cars that visitors can observe.
Engineer Charles Tournay designed this structure in 1924 to serve coal extraction and ventilation functions until the mine closed in 1958. It was restored in 1979 and subsequently designated as protected 20th Century heritage.
The shaft's name reflects the religious traditions that shaped mining communities in this region. Today it serves as a place where visitors can connect with the industrial heritage and understand how mining shaped daily life in the area.
The site is reached from Rue de la Chapelle and sits within Ronchamp's former mining area. Since it is an outdoor installation, comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended for your visit.
This is the last preserved headframe remaining in the Ronchamp mining basin, making it a rare survivor of the region's industrial past. The original mine railway and cars form one of the few complete mining equipment sets still intact in the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
