The witness mine, a true guarantor of the industrial history of the Cévennes

Les galeries ne font pas plus de deux mètres de haut, d’où le port du casque au long de la visite. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Au mois d’août, à Alès, la mine est ouverte aux visites de 9 h 30 à 18 h. Retour sur le passé du fond.

The history of mines and their miners is not unknown. It has been told through books and documentaries, stories from old-timers and photographs. At the Alès mine, which is located just above the Rochebelle district, a different immersion into the world of coal extractors is offered.

This time, in this underground gallery used between 1945 and 1968 by apprentice miners, an emblem of the mining past of Alès and the Cévennes, tourists and curious onlookers dive into the depths of the galleries, which have not been reconstructed, but left as they are, with a few safety renovations. This is only the fifth summer season of the show mine since its reopening in 2020.

Romane, guide of the day. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

An hour in the shoes of a miner

In order not to forget the difficult working conditions and social developments, what could be better than an excursion into 700 m of mining tunnels, to feel the dark atmosphere of the work of the “black faces”. After passing through the hanging room, the equivalent of the locker room, wearing helmets, visitors follow Romane, the guide of the day.

Demonstration of Davy's lamp, one of the mining developments. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

There, machines, such as the shearer, presented a few minutes before during a quick screening, are exhibited. Guided by Romane's story, you have to imagine the smells, the unbearable noises, the temperature of 50 °C, but also bodies covered in coal.

Machines exhibited life-size. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Why not go so far as to imagine animals, employed in the mine task? Horse mannequins, whose role in the exploitation is to be discovered, the reason for caged birds, or the usefulness of spotting rats.

But what were the horses used for in the mine ? Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

At each turn of the gallery, the visitor is immersed in one of the many mining centuries. And each era has its constraints. “You, how old are you? 6 years old? Ah, at that time, you were already working!”, illustrates Romane. From family work to the extraction of women and children outside the mine, the evolution of this profession is explained over the centuries, their laws, and the social struggle of miners.

From yesterday to today

Some stories, such as the details of the symptoms of diseases such as silicosis, or anthracosis, triggered by coal and toxin residues, provoke reactions “How horrible… “, “It's disgusting!”. The most dangerous jobs in the mining industry, such as that of penitent. The technical and scientific bases are also explained, to young and old, during this one-hour visit.

The galleries, remained as they were. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

The galleries, remained as they were. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Finally, in its aspect that is both educational and playful, it is “the’influence" that the mining community had on the life of the Cévennes capital, and whose disappearance has its consequences today, which are explained. The past, to explain the present. "The mine is a major story of the city. You have to imagine that a majority of the Alésiens worked in the mine. Women, men, children… The inhabitants worked according to the mine's schedule. " A strange life, of which the witness face and the dirt still bear witness.

Before joining the galleries

Reservations: A visit to the show mine is one of the most popular tourist activities in Alès: it is therefore essential to remember to book on the dedicated website. The full price for the visit is 12 euros for adults, free for children under 6. The place is open every day, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Season: During the summer, many evenings and activities are offered around the History of the miner. Among others, the theatrical night visits, to be found every Wednesday until August 28. The full price (adults) is set at 14 euros. Departure at 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Also, on Fridays in the summer, from 6 p.m., gourmet tours with the “miner's bag”, to discover local products.
Contact: For more information, visit the website www.mine-temoin.fr, or call 04 66 30 45 15.

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