Mines de Beffrois

Le blog touristique du bassin minier

Author: Luc Hermes

  • Meet & Drink: Emilienne Mopty and Michel Brûlé, Icons of the French Resistance

    📅 Thursday 14 August 2026 at 6:30 PM
    📍 9-9bis, Rue Alain Bashung, 62590 Oignies

    Discover the little-known story of Emilienne Mopty and Michel Brûlé, two emblematic figures of the French Resistance in the mining basin. This informal talk, led by local historian Philippe Rulkin, will immerse you in the struggles and legacy of these resistance fighters.

    The mining basin was a hotbed of resistance during the Second World War. These encounters help us better understand local history and pay tribute to those who fought for freedom.

    Free admission, subject to availability.

    🔗 More info: 9-9bis.com

  • Around the World with Philéas: Children’s Workshop at 9-9bis

    📅 Sunday 9 August 2026 at 4:30 PM
    📍 9-9bis, Rue Alain Bashung, 62590 Oignies

    Set off on a journey around the world with Philéas! This reading and creative workshop, designed for children aged 6 to 12, takes young adventurers on an imaginary voyage through the 9-9bis.

    Through the story of Philéas and his kamishibai (Japanese paper theatre), children travel from country to country while discovering mining heritage and world cultures. A fun and creative family experience!

    The workshop is included in the 9-9bis entry ticket. Booking recommended.

    🔗 More info: 9-9bis.com

  • In the Footsteps of Madame de Clercq: Heritage Walk at 9-9bis

    📅 Sunday 10 August 2025 at 10:00 AM
    📍 9-9bis, Rue Alain Bashung, 62590 Oignies

    Follow in the footsteps of Madame de Clercq on a heritage walk through the remarkable mining site of 9-9bis. This guided tour will introduce you to the fascinating history of this emblematic site in the mining basin, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Madame de Clercq, an iconic local figure, left an indelible mark on the history of Oignies and its region. As you stroll, you’ll discover anecdotes and secrets about this remarkable woman.

    The 9-9bis, a former mining site converted into a cultural and artistic centre, offers a unique setting for this historical walk. Between rehabilitated slag heaps and reinvented industrial architecture, every step tells the story of the mining basin.

    🔗 More info: 9-9bis.com

  • Sensory Walk at 9-9bis: Listen and Feel Transformed Nature

    📅 Sunday 23 August 2026, 10am-12pm
    📍 9-9bis, Oignies (remarkable mining site)

    The 9-9bis offers an unforgettable sensory walk on Sunday 23 August! Accompanied by naturalists from Eden 62, explore your senses in the heart of the mining site: listen to the birds, touch the bark, breathe in the scents of reclaimed nature.

    This free, family-friendly walk lets you discover how biodiversity has reclaimed these industrial landscapes. Sight, hearing, smell and touch will all be engaged for a unique immersive experience on the slag heaps and in the 9-9bis green spaces.

    🔗 [Full programme on 9-9bis.com](https://9-9bis.com/agenda/)

  • Bat Night in the Scarpe-Escaut Park: Separate Fact from Fiction!

    📅 Friday 28 August (Quarouble) and Saturday 29 August (Crespin), 8:30pm-11pm
    📍 Parc naturel régional Scarpe-Escaut (Quarouble and Crespin)

    Who are bats? Do they really get tangled in your hair? Are they comparable to vampires? Many legends circulate about these queens of the night. In one evening, separate fact from fiction with the naturalists of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park!

    Programme: indoor presentation followed by a field outing to observe and listen to bats using ultrasonic detectors. A free, family-friendly event accessible to all.

    These evenings are part of the summer activities programme of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park.

    🔗 [Scarpe-Escaut Nature Park](https://pnr-scarpe-escaut.fr)

  • Nature Walk at 9-9bis: Wildlife and Flora Survey with Aquaterra

    📅 Sunday 16 August 2026, 10am-12pm
    📍 9-9bis, Oignies (remarkable mining site)

    The 9-9bis, a remarkable mining site in Oignies, is offering a unique nature walk on Sunday 16 August: come and participate in the wildlife and flora survey with naturalists from Aquaterra!

    On the programme: observation of birds, insects and plants that populate the slag heaps and repurposed spaces of the site. A free and accessible walk for everyone to discover the exceptional biodiversity that has settled in these transformed industrial landscapes.

    This event is part of the 9-9bis summer programme, which offers heritage tours, aperitif-meetups, walks and workshops all summer long.

    🔗 [Full programme on 9-9bis.com](https://9-9bis.com/agenda/)

  • Tour du Saint Cordon 2026: The Traditional Walk of Valenciennes

    📅 13 September 2026
    📍 Valenciennes (start and finish at Place du Marché aux Poissons)

    The Tour du Saint Cordon is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions of Valenciennes. Every September, thousands of walkers follow the historic route of the Saint Cordon, a procession dating back to the 11th century.

    This urban pilgrimage, blending faith and conviviality, offers a chance to discover Valenciennes’ remarkable heritage: its churches, lively squares and listed town centre. Family-friendly and sportive routes are available.

    The walk is followed by the traditional blessing and a moment of sharing on the Grand’Place.

    🔗 [Ville de Valenciennes](https://valenciennes.fr/agenda/)

  • European Heritage Days 2026: Discover the Mining Basin’s Treasures

    📅 19-20 September 2026
    📍 Mining Basin, Northern France (multiple sites)

    The European Heritage Days return on 19 and 20 September 2026 across the entire mining basin! A unique opportunity to discover or rediscover the architectural, industrial and cultural treasures of our territory.

    Every year, hundreds of sites exceptionally open their doors: UNESCO belfries, pithead frames, mining estates, and museums usually closed to the public. Guided tours, workshops, exhibitions and activities make this an unmissable weekend.

    The mining basin, a UNESCO cultural landscape since 2012, reveals itself in a new light with themed tours: industrial heritage, workers’ housing, social history and mining techniques.

    Check the official programme on your local town hall or tourist office website to plan your visits.

    🔗 [Official Heritage Days programme](https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine)

  • Stargazing Night at the Louvre-Lens Park Festival: Cinema and Astronomy

    📅 22 August 2026
    📍 Parc du Louvre-Lens, Lens (62)

    Stargazing Night comes to the Louvre-Lens Park Festival! A magical evening awaits: open-air cinema, torch-lit guided tours and stargazing under the celestial vault.

    🔭 A unique experience to contemplate the stars in the exceptional setting of the Louvre-Lens park, between sky and culture. Bring a blanket and your curiosity!

    🔗 Source: tourisme-lens.fr

  • Climbing Slag Heap 110 at Dusk: A Spectacular Hike in the Mining Basin

    📅 11 to 18 September 2026
    📍 Terril 110, Loos-en-Gohelle (62)

    Experience a unique adventure climbing Slag Heap 110 at dusk! This exceptional hike offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the mining basin at sunset, between industrial heritage and grand landscapes.

    🥾 It’s an experience worth trying at least once: climbing a slag heap as the sun sets and admiring the panoramic view over the region. Booking recommended.

    🔗 Source: tourisme-lens.fr

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