The mining history centre
The museum
The Mining History Centre is France’s largest mining museum and one of the premier such attractions in Europe. It is set on the site of the old Delloye colliery at Lewarde, in the Nord département. It welcomes more than 150,000 visitors each year.
THE DELLOYE MINE: THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE WORKPLACE
Clothes hanging in the bathroom and lamps lined up in the lamp room bring the iconic locations of the old mine to life, not to mention the imposing reels from the extraction machine. Not to mention the 1930s administrative office reconstruction, when the mine was still in operation.
AN INDUSTRIAL AND HUMAN ADVENTURE AT THE HEART OF THE EXHIBITIONS
In The Origin of Coal exhibition, visitors can travel back in geological time to learn about the formation of coal.
The exhibition ‘The Three Ages of the Mine’ traces the considerable changes in the industrial landscape and mining techniques brought about by 270 years of coal mining in Nord-Pas de Calais, notably through its models of mining sites. Then, Life in the Mining Town explains the daily life of the miner and his family.
You can also explore the outdoor exhibition, ‘History of the Delloye Mine’.
GUIDED TOUR OF THE GALLERIES: A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE MINE
Duration: 1 hour
Accompanied by a cultural mediator, explore the depths of the mine and discover how mining techniques and working conditions evolved from the discovery of coal in 1720 to the closure of the last pit in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais mining basin in 1990.
⚠️ Access to the mining galleries will be adapted from 15 July 2025 as the lift will be undergoing renovation work, but all the coal mining sites will be open to visitors as usual.
NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: ‘PAROLES DE MINEURS’ (MINERS’ WORDS)
Available in French only (with French subtitles)
Discover the valuable testimonies of former miners about their work and daily lives through this exceptional immersive experience.
Although sixty-eight former miners were present at the Mining History Centre from its opening to the public in 1984 until the summer of 2024, their words are now accessible thanks to artificial intelligence. Ask your questions on an interactive tablet and let the technology do its work – a former miner will answer you on video!
Useful informations
Opening times, prices, brochures... check out our practical information to help you plan your visit to the Mining History Centre.
