Couriot - Musée de la Mine — Attraction in Saint-Étienne

The parc-musée de la mine, Saint-Etienne: I recommend this visit! The museum of the mine of Saint-Etienne is a real witness of the history and the culture of the region. Indeed, I chose to visit this museum because if the activity of the mines ceased a long time ago, these last ones contributed to the formation of the region and they are always part of the landscape and the « Stéphanois » heritage. This visit deeply marked me. Indeed, by discovering the mine one is quickly challenged by the extreme and sometimes dehumanizing conditions in which the miners worked. The deserted character of some rooms is sometimes chilling as for example « la salles des pendus », however it is easy to imagine in this quiet room the noisy activity which took place there a few decades ago. The guided tour lasts one hour and fifteen minutes and is free for children, I found the guides fascinating, they lead us into the depths of the mine, putting us in the conditions of the miners. It is difficult to get bored, and even children can understand a lot from this visit. Finally, at the end of the guided tour, it is possible to go to rooms that retrace the history of this place, of social struggles that took place on it and of the city of Saint-Etienne, thanks to models and archive images. I recommend the visit of these rooms to...

This is a must-visit place whether you're a tourist or a resident of Saint Etienne. The Couriot Mine is an essential part of Saint Etienne's history, and hence, this place has to be on your bucket list. If you're a student or under 25 years of age, you get free entry to the museum, but you're not allowed to go into the mining shaft. If you visit on weekday mornings, it usually isn't very crowded. I recommend visiting in the morning so that you get to see all the exhibits in a quiet and peaceful environment. Advanced booking is not necessary unless you're taking a guided tour. The guided tour is only available in French, so unless you're fluent in French, it's not worth it. At the ticket office, you can buy souvenirs like fridge magnets, postcards etc. The coffee machine at the ticket office didn't work the last time I visited.. that was a little disappointing. The vending machine doesn't accept cards as a form of payment, which is disappointing as well.

Overall, I loved visiting the museum and learning about the history of mining in Saint Etienne and the Loire region. There are several exhibits and animations that explain every aspect of the mining industry and its history, particularly the...

The best excuse to visit Saint Etienne. Plenty of information in open exhibitions as well as a guided tour through the facility. The tour includes a visit down the mine and a short ride on an operational mine train. Our tour guide, Chloe, was fantastic. She obviously enjoys her job and makes everyone excited to learn more as she explains everything with such passion and humour. The facility is in a relatively good state and the exhibitions within the mine help you travel back through time with examples of mines throughout the ages. I would highly recommend visiting this museum if you find yourself at Saint Etienne as the town has little else...