Hauts-de-France
In 1874, a cross-border railway connected the Belgian town of Péruwelz with the French municipality of Anzin. The aim was to export coal from the northern French mining basin to Belgium.
Voie Verte des Gueules Noires
The Voie Verte des Gueules Noires is a picturesque greenway in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, created along a former mining railway. Stretching approximately 19 kilometres, it connects the towns of Bruay-la-Buissière and Auchel, offering a safe and scenic route for walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The path winds through lush landscapes, with nods to the region's coal-mining heritage, including remnants of industrial structures and interpretive signs. The name, "Greenway of the Black Faces," pays tribute to the miners who once toiled in the area's coal mines. It’s a perfect mix of nature and history for outdoor enthusiasts.
- 3 destinations
Hauts-de-France
From 1838 onwards, the railway from Somain in France to Péruwelz in Belgium served several coal mines around Valenciennes and crossed the Belgian border at Vieux-Condé.
Hauts-de-France
From 1905 to 1988, coal was extracted from the underground in the Charles Ledoux coal mine in Condé-sur-l'Escaut in France.
Latest from the blog
In the early nineteenth century, the industrial revolution swept across continental Europe and one steelworks after another rose from the ground. Europe had hundreds of blast furnaces, but since the mid-twentieth century, Europe's steel industry has been slowly going downhill.
All photos and stories are copyrighted. Of course, linking to articles on the site is possible and allowed.
If you would like to use photos or articles from this website, please contact bart@hiddenmonuments.com.
© 2003-2025 Hiddenmonuments.com