Volunteer members of La Mine et les Hommes Association welcome vistors at Saint-Claude mine shaft.
Individual visits :
March to November, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, from 2 to 5 p.m.
July and August, open all days from 2 to 5, except Tuesdays.
groups :
welcome all year-round by appointment

Invidual tickets : € 5
discount rate : € 2.50
Free admission for under 10’s
Group visits : € 4.15 each visitor

Pour retrouver la mémoire enfouie...
The coal mining area of Blanzy Montceau has been in operation since the XVIth century. From 1810 to 2000, more than 200 million tons of coal have been extracted in the Blanzy area. The last shafts closed down in 1992, and coal operation stopped in 2000.
You can’t miss the Mine Museum in Blanzy. As you enter Blanzy, you will see the 20 metre high headframe. Visit the main building with reconstructed offices of the Compagnie des mines. On the ground floor, shop for books, copies of lamps. Watch a video highlighting techniques used in the mine. See models and geological sections. Visit the top floor and the permanent exhibition highlighting life in the Blanzy mining area : mine, research department, leisure activities, miners houshold interior from the 1920’s... and relive the life and work conditions of miners.
Other items to see are : The statue of J. Chagot, founder of the Compagnie des Mines de Blanzy ; The lamp room for an insight in mine lighting ; Dump car hauling and unloading circuit ; Mine trolleys, mine locomotives ; Machine room with steam mining machinery ; Draining pumps ; and Engines, including an 1885 Gramme electric engine ... all in working condition.
Use the mine cage and skip hoist to go down 30 meters deep at the Saint-Claude mine shaft ; take the 200 meter long underground circuit. Visit mine workings for an overview of the evolution of mining techniques and tools.
Exclusive to the Banzy mine shaft : most of all equipment shown is in excellent working condition with frequent demonstrations.

In the 1970’s, the research department and the Ecomuseum focus on the preservation of archeological industry. They wish to preserve some important items that have started disappearing from the mining site. Items collected are stored at the Saint-Claude mining shaft which closed down in 1882.
In 1974, La Mine et les Hommes Association is set up in partnership with the city of Blanzy and the Ecomuseum. Their aim is to safeguard as many typical artefacts as possible.
The Prélong headframe is rebuilt with sponsors like the city of Blanzy, the Ecomuseum, Datar and the mining company providing equipment, land and services. The building was planned to host an exhibition of mining artefacts, including a back-up Barrat steam machine and a lamproom. The building opened to the public in 1978.
Following this success story, La Mine et les Hommes Association becomes an independent body. Its subsequent achievements are the setting up of mining machinery, railway, lamproom, galleries, a main building to serve for exhibitions and projection.