Puits du Marais, Mining headframe in Le Chambon-Feugerolles, France

Puits du Marais is a blue-grey steel headframe standing on a stone building with a red tile roof. Two large wheels sit at the top beneath a small red-tiled canopy, and four angled legs are braced with girders. Below, the stone facade has three arched openings fitted with vertical metal grilles, and three pale slabs bearing black symbols stand among flowers in front.

Constructed between 1903 and 1909, the shaft descended 524 meters below ground. It primarily functioned as a ventilation system for the surrounding mining sectors and has remained a landscape landmark for more than a century.

This headframe embodies the industrial heritage of coal mining in the Ondaine Valley, shaping the landscape and identity of the area. The structure demonstrates how deeply mining influenced the economic life of communities throughout the region.

The site is viewable from outside and offers a clear view of the shaft structure and headframe system. A visit works best during warmer months when the surrounding paths are dry and easy to walk.

The shaft contained two independent compartments that served different mining sectors simultaneously. This dual-chamber design was a notable technical innovation for pit engineering at the time.