Couriot - Musée de la Mine
About This Museum
Tucked away in the heart of Saint-Étienne, a city whose identity was forged in coal, the Couriot - Musée de la Mine isn't your typical quiet museum. You feel the history the moment you step onto the site, with the imposing headframes of the historic mine shaft looming over an expansive eight-acre park. The real magic happens when you descend into the faithfully reconstructed galleries below, where the cool, damp air and sounds of machinery transport you straight into the world of a 'gueule noire'. It’s a powerful, immersive experience that connects you to the generations who worked these depths.
Collection Highlights
The highlight is undoubtedly putting on a miner's helmet and taking the cage lift down into the reconstructed underground networks. You'll see the coal seams, massive extraction machines, and even a stable for the pit ponies that lived their entire lives underground.
Visitor Information
After your underground adventure, take advantage of those sprawling green lawns for a picnic—it's the perfect way to decompress. It's easy to find at 3 Boulevard Maréchal Franchet d'Esperey, and because it's a living museum with guided tours, checking their website for opening times before you go is a smart move.
Architecture & Building
The museum is built directly around the original mine buildings, which are classic early 20th-century industrial architecture—think sturdy brickwork, vast windows, and those iconic metal headframes that dominate the skyline.
Contact & Location
Address: Musée de la Mine Site Couriot, 3, Boulevard Maréchal Franchet d'Espèrey, Tarentaize, Saint-Étienne, Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France métropolitaine, 42000, France
Phone: +33 4 77 43 83 23
Website: Visit Website
