Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Museum · Liège, Liège
Blegny-Mine
Former coal mine in Trembleur, about 15 kilometers from Liège, open to visitors after mining ceased. Visitors descend by elevator to the galleries at 30 and 60 meters deep. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Blegny-Mine
Blegny-Mine is in Trembleur, in the municipality of Blegny, on the plateau northeast of Liège. Coal began to be extracted there in the 16th century by monks from the Val-Dieu abbey, and the first shaft was opened in 1779. The mine expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries and stopped producing in 1980.
Shortly after closure, the province of Liège turned the site into a museum. Blegny-Mine is one of the few coal mines in Europe where visitors still descend via the original shaft. Together with the other three major mining sites in Wallonia, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The visit is guided and starts with a helmet and jacket. The shaft elevator of No. 1 goes down to the galleries at 30 and 60 meters, where you can see the machines, the shored tunnels and the miners’ working conditions. Explanations are often given by guides who include former miners.
Back on the surface, the route follows the coal’s path through the screening and washing facilities. The site also has a mining museum, a tourist train through the region, a trail on the former spoil heap and a food area.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day, including the guided descent, the surface area and the museum.
Best time
Underground visits run on a seasonal schedule with specific days, with more departures in spring and summer. Check the calendar and book before you go. Inside, the temperature is cool year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer.
How to get there
By car, it’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown Liège, on the plateau northeast of the city. If you don’t drive, check bus options beforehand or arrange a taxi, because the public-transport route takes longer.
Tip
Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get a little dirty. If you’re afraid of confined spaces, note the descent is in a narrow elevator and some gallery sections have low ceilings. Very young children may be restricted from going down: check the minimum age.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Blegny-Mine
Do you need to reserve the mine visit?
It’s recommended, especially on weekends and during Belgian school holidays. Groups descend at fixed times with a guide.
Is the visit in French?
Visits are guided and there are departures in languages other than French. Ask when booking which language will be available that day.
Why is Blegny-Mine a World Heritage site?
It is part of the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia, a group of four mines recognized by UNESCO for illustrating the history of coal in the region. The other three are in the province of Hainaut.