Puits du Marais, Mining headframe in Le Chambon-Feugerolles, France
Puits du Marais is a mining headframe featuring a distinctive double-wheeled system that rises above the former mining site in the Ondaine Valley. The metal structure displays the industrial engineering typical of pit installations from that era.
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.
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