Musée de la mine de La Machine, Mining museum in La Machine, France
The Musée de la mine de La Machine occupies the former administrative building of the coal mines and displays the history of mining through objects, photographs, and models. The exhibits cover all aspects of extraction, from tools to work clothing.
The Schneider company acquired the coal mines in 1863 and invested heavily in equipment, leading to the town developing around mining operations. The company maintained control until nationalization in 1946.
Former miners established the museum in 1974 to safeguard the heritage of their profession and gathered objects from their daily work. The rooms show how workers lived and what mining meant to the community.
Visits work best from March to October, when exhibits are freely accessible. Guided tours into the old mines and past machinery are regularly offered.
The collection contains about 3 tons of minerals and fossils, including about 1 ton of ammonites, donated by retired miner Serge Bonnotte. These valuable pieces reveal the geological history of the region and complement the mining exhibits.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
