Bois du Luc

Exceptional in the integrity and authenticity of its historic heritage, Bois-du-Luc is one of the oldest mines in Belgium, with recorded activity dating back to 1685. The place is particularly known for the surrounding collier's village built especially for the purpose and containing everything the workers needed: a church, a hospital, schools, shops, a retirement home, a community centre, even a small park with a bandstand, as well as the miners' houses themselves. It is today one of the most notable surviving remnants of industrial paternalism in Belgium.

The disconcerting authenticity of the site will capture your attention throughout the visit. You'll discover the particularities of life in Bois-du-Luc, its paternalistic policy framing the worker and his family in a subtle game of balance between profitability and social control. This microcosm has seen a succession of workers from around the world, from Flanders to Afghanistan. Your feeling of containment will be satisfied by the ascent of the wooded slag heaps with their breathtaking view of this landscape "Made in Industry".

How to Get There

Bois-du-Luc is located at rue Saint-Patrice 2b in Houdeng-Aimeries between Mons and Charleroi. By car, take the E42/E19 Exit 21 Le Roeulx. You can also reach the site by bus from La Louvière to Bois-du-Luc (Line 37). By train, go the station La Louvière-Centre or La Louvière-Sud and then the bus 37.

When to Visit

Bois-du-Luc is open all year from Monday to Friday from 10.00 -17.00 (last tour departs at 15.00). From 1 May to 31 October it is also open on weekends and public holidays 10.00 - 18.00 (last tour departs at 16.00) and every weekend in November. Closed from 24 December to 4 January inclusive.

How to Visit

The multilingual audio guides (English, Dutch, Italian) let you discover the mining village from its industrial buildings and school through to its hospice, bandstand, workers' houses, workshop courtyard, and the administrative wing of the site with the director's and accountant's offices.