Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin, France
Following the footsteps of miners through the largest mining basin in France
The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2012, under criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi). It is described as a “living and evolving cultural landscape”, combining “works of nature and humankind”.
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View of Auchel from the Spoil heap no. 14 (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
As with the invention of writing or printing, or with the beginnings of agriculture, industrialisation was a key turning point in the history of humankind.
Coal was, of course, a major source of energy for this process, and, as a result, the Mining Basin and its plentiful supply of coal played an important part in this period in history for almost three centuries (1720-1990).
Cycle route of Raismes/Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Mining is an industry common to many countries throughout the world, including the UK, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, China and the USA. Sharing a sense of solidarity with their peers, regardless of borders, miners everywhere speak the same language.
The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin therefore speaks to the whole world and, in this sense, is indeed a treasure and common property of humankind.
A view of the twin slag heaps in Loos-en-Gohelle from the Canadian National Vimy Memorial (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (ii): The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin provides exceptional testimony to the exchange of ideas and influences regarding the extraction methods used for underground coal seams, the design of worker housing and urban planning, as well as the international human migration that accompanied the industrialization of Europe.
Mining village no. 10, Sains-en-Gohelle (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (iv): The living and evolving mining landscapes of the Nord-Pas de Calais Basin provide an eminent example of the large-scale development of coal mining in the 19th and 20th centuries, by large industrial companies and their considerable workforce.
This is a space structured by urban planning, specific industrial structures and the physical vestiges of coal extraction (slag heaps and subsidence).
Mining Basin seen from the Canadian National Vimy Memorial (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin is situated in the North of France, lying at the western extremity of the coal seam of continental Europe. On a larger scale, the coal that can be found here belongs to the deposits that stretch from Columbia to the Appalachian Mountains in the United States, from southern Ireland to the Ukraine, and between Kazakhstan, China and India. The Nord-Pas de Calais coalfield is among the largest in Northwestern Europe, second only in size to that of the Ruhr in Germany.
One of its defining features as a major coalfield is that it is entirely below ground: 2 billion tonnes of coal were extracted between 1720 and 1990, from 100,000 km of galleries via 600 shafts. It is 120 km long, 12 km wide and 1.2 km deep.
Chabaud-Latour lakes, Ledoux Headgear and spoil heap, Condé-sur-l'Escaut (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
1.2 million people live in the Mining Basin today.
Its geographical location places it at the heart of an administrative region, the Hauts-de-France, which, today, is a major crossroads for communications between the main European metropolitan centres.
The Historic Mining Centre, Lewarde (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (vi): The social, technical and cultural events associated with the history of the Mining Basin had international repercussions. They are a unique and exceptional illustration of the danger of mine-working and of the history of its major disasters (Courrières).
They are testimony to the evolution of the social and technical conditions of coal extraction. They represent a major symbolic place of the workers’ condition and their solidarity, from the 1850s to 1990. They are testimony to the dissemination of the ideals of worker unionism and socialism.
The Great Offices of the Lens Mining Company (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
The core zone of the property includes 353 outstanding elements: 17 collieries or significant vestiges of collieries, 21 headgear structures, 51 slag heaps, 54 km of former railway tracks, 3 railway stations, 124 estates of miners’ housing, 45 schools and leisure facilities, 17 churches and chapels, 21 health facilities, the head offices of 3 mining companies and 4,000 ha of organic industrial landscape stretching for more than 120 km.
Twin spoil heaps of the Pays à Part, Maisnil-Lès-Ruitz (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A technical heritage
The technical legacy encompasses a variety of buildings and structures, i.e. colliery buildings, headgear structures, slag heaps of various shapes and sizes, and transport networks (railways and canal ports).
Lens train station (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
These elements constitute a physical record of remarkable coherence in their dimensions and style, which are inspired by both technical and architectural considerations, and bear witness to the evolution of coal-mining techniques throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Lemay garden city, Pecquencourt (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A social heritage
The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin can also be envisaged as a vast social laboratory, which lasted for a period of 150 years and was characterised by the abundance and the exceptional variety of the housing types created by the coal companies for their employees: so-called ‘corons’ (terraced rows of miners’ houses), housing estates, garden city developments and apartment blocks of recent times.
Lens Miners’ Union House (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Alongside the basic need to house the mine workers were other social requirements which gave rise to facilities such as schools, churches, hospitals, community centres and sporting facilities.
Bruno mining village, Dourges (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
This social heritage is today comprised of some 600 estates of miners’ housing, which are of considerable interest due to their formal layout and architectural design.
Church of Pinson’s garden city, Raismes (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A cultural landscape
The heritage also provides exceptional testimony to the way in which a historic territory that was once dominated by agricultural production underwent a transition to become a territory dominated by a new order: industry.
Community hall in Cité d'Arenberg in Wallers (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
The collieries themselves, the slag heaps and the miners’ houses are all evidence of this sudden change from a rural civilisation to an industrial one, bearing witness at the same time to the formation of the working class during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with its trade unions, strikes, friendly societies, healthcare provision and a fundamental right to work.
La Clochette mining village, Douai and Waziers (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Present too are signs of various waves of immigration (some 29 nationalities in all have come to the region), the resulting cultural exchanges having considerably enriched the history of the Mining Basin as a whole.
The Art Deco swimming pool, Bruay-La-Buissière (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Last but not least, there are cultural activities that are a part of this heritage, which were initiated and encouraged by the mining companies, but which continue to thrive today and are being passed on from one generation to the next: pigeon fancying, brass bands, traditional games, the Sainte-Barbe festival...
Spoil heap no. 144, Pecquencourt/Rieulay (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A catalyst for attractiveness
Being recognised as a World Heritage site provides the opportunity to raise the profile of the Mining Basin at both a national and an international level. In a region that was previously unheard of outside of France, the Mining Basin now has its place on the map.
What’s more, the image being portrayed is a positive one, of an area with a rich heritage and a population of ambitious stakeholders capable of sustaining it.
Louvre-Lens Museum (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Only a few years ago, it was unthinkable that the Mining Basin could ever be a destination for tourists. The inscription has created new opportunities, especially as it coincided with the opening of the Louvre-Lens Museum.
Louvre-Lens Museum (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
This prestigious institution, which attracts half a million visitors a year, has joined the other places of interest in the Mining Basin, such as the Mining History Centre in Lewarde (150,000 visitors/year) and the memorial sites commemorating the soldiers from the two World Wars (500,000 visitors/year).
Spoil heap no.189a, Anzin (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
At a time when a new type of tourist is looking for an original, cultural or active break, the buzz that has been created around the industrial heritage of the Mining Basin is perfectly timed to make it an appealing destination.
Islands Park, Drocourt (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A catalyst for a new future
Rather than holding back change, inscription on the World Heritage List gives leverage to accelerate the development and revitalisation of the region. The inscription process was an opportunity to consider the future of the mining heritage.
Heritage that must, of course, be conserved, but on which it is also necessary to capitalise, to build projects for the future, with a coordinated programme of rehabilitation, development and promotion.
Taffin garden city, Vieux-Condé (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
The Mining Basin can now be more demanding in its needs and insist on higher architectural and environmental standards.
The "pilot villages" programme, which concerns the requalification of the miners' estates, enables improvements which make houses more comfortable, lighter, better insulated, with restored façades and better equipped for current and future lifestyles, in an environment which has green spaces and meeting places.
This exemplary modernisation would not have been possible without the World Heritage inscription adventure.
The Arenberg Pit is a monument to the importance of mining at the dawn of the industrial age (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
At the Arenberg Pit at Wallers, you'll be struck by the majestic nature of the colliery. You will be greeted by the imposing, 60-metre-tall head frame No. 3, before following the heritage route from building to building, machine to machine, and even behind the scenes of a film or television shoot.
Arenberg pit, Wallers (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Continue to the nearby mining community to discover its splendid village hall—an unexpected treat in a delightful forest setting, ideal for a hike or a stroll in the great outdoors.
Mining museum (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Another must-see is the Delloye Pit and the Mining History Centre at Lewarde. Visitors will find here the largest mining museum in France and one of the very first in Europe. Three centuries of history are retraced through permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Unique experience (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Immerse yourself in the heart of the mine and experience this exciting industrial and human history, which includes cool tunnels, engine rooms, and mining lamps. This fascinating and unusual setting sparks wonder in children and adults alike.
The 9/9bis colliery (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
It was at the 9-9bis pit in Oignies, in 1990, that mining in the region finally ceased. This pit is exceptional due to the conservation of its machines and the way it combines heritage with repurposing based on music- an important aspect of mining culture. Climb to the top of the slag heap for a 360° panoramic view of the area.
Metaphone Concert Hall (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Then, experience a concert at the Métaphone® Concert Hall, which was repurposed by Heraut Arnod Architects.
11/19 colliery, Loos-en-Gohelle (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
With its imposing concentration tower, the architecture of the 11/19 pit at Loos-en-Gohelle will astound you. Today it is dedicated to sustainable development, but it also tells the story of the repurposing of the Mining Basin. Nearby, you can stroll through a remarkable mining village and discover its exceptional facilities.
The twin spoil heaps in Loos-en-Gohelle (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
The highlight of your visit will be to climb up the “Pyramids of the North”, two of Europe’s largest slag heaps. When you reach the summit, you will be instantly rewarded!
The Electricians’ village, Bruay-La-Buissière (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
Conversion and repurposing can also be seen at the electricians’ village of Bruay-La-Buissière, which opened in the spring of 2019.
The Electricians’ village, Bruay La Buissière (2012) by Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinUNESCO World Heritage
A jewel of a mining village, it is evolving into a cultural hub with tourist accommodation, artist residences and an interpretation centre dedicated to the mining landscape and culture.
This exhibit was created by the Mission Bassin Minier Nord-Pas de Calais: bassinminier-patrimoinemondial.org/
More on the Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin and World Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1360
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