The Lewarde mining history centre

The Lewarde Mining History Centre in France is an important example of how cultural heritage has been preserved and at the same time how new economic opportunities for the region have been opened up. It symbolises the transition from a highly industrialised region into a tourist hot spot with a national significance. Many other coal mining regions in Europe have established museums and heritage sites (for further examples see below), but Lewarde, as one of the oldest, has long-term experience that can serve as a source of inspiration. Lewarde is a small town in the former Mining Basin of northern France, where coal had been extracted between the 18th and 20th century. Over those three hundred years coal mining shaped the face of the region, its landscape, and geographical and urban conditions. The importance of this heritage has been acknowledged through the region Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.