| 01/07/07 Contents > All destinations > Other destinations > Hotels > Restaurants > Tourist attractions  Lens going oval! Known for its football passion, Lens will be the smallest French town to host the 2007 Rugby World Cup. From the town centre to the military cemeteries, without forgetting the slag heaps, here are a few sites to visit before the matches and... the opening of the Louvre annex in 2009. | My beautiful slag heap aka Lens! By Georges RouzeauSafeguarded since the closure of the site in 1986, the twin slag heaps at Loos-en-Gohelle, no doubt Europe's highest, dominate the Gohelle Plain with their conical shape. From their summit, the panoramic view extends as far as Belgium. The pioneering association Chaîne des Terrils proposes walks to discover this emblem of the mining heritage now colonised by fauna and flora, and, interestingly, some Mediterranean species.
 The twin conical slag heaps of former pit head 11/19 dominate the Gohelle Plain on the edge of Lens. Travellers see them on alighting at Lens station. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin Witnesses of the site's mining activity, the two pit-head frames, that of pit-head 11 in steel and the more recent one of pit head 19 in concrete, still stand aloof pending restoration prior to opening for visits. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin Closed in January 1986, the site has kept most of its facilities (here, the machines room). The baths and showers room houses Scène National du Bassin Minier cultural activities. The Chaîne des Terrils association, which organises walks and activities at the site, occupies former workshops. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin The son of a miner who looks like a hard rock roady, Patrick Offe is one of the guides at the Chaîne des Terrils. Learned and enthusiastic about the history of mining, that of the First World War and of the Nord region, he transforms each walk into a highly interesting historic and geographical trail. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin Walkers 'attacking' Europe's reportedly highest slag heap that rises to a height of 186 m. The so-called 'sterile' rocks forming a slag heap are particularly hard, so good walking shoes are a must. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin As you climb, the view takes in all the no. 11/19 site, recognised in 2002 as a 'sustainable reference pole' and aimed at providing facilities for companies working in the sustainable development field. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin At the top of the plateau forming the base of the two slag heaps, a hollow forms in winter a 'humid environment' attracting specific species. Generally speaking, slag heaps generate their own remarkable ecosystem, a genuine haven for fauna and flora. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin Common on slag heaps, the horned poppy generally grows between pebbles on the shore. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin At the summit, the amazing beauty of the site recalling a Sicilian volcano. 'When I go for a walk on a slag heap, I feel as though I'm on holidays' says Vincent Cohez, technical director of the Chaîne des Terrils association. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin On the edge of the plateau, the view overlooks the processing of 'burnt' shales of pit head no. 16 by the company SCA (Schiste Calibrage Artois). In effect, manually sorted shales still contain a high proportion of coal unlike artificially 'washed' wastes which are pure. These poorly washed shales then sometimes catch fire inside slag heaps under the effect of various chemical factors, which explains their red colour. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin At the top of the slag heap, a beautiful view over the crops in the plain. In winter, you can still see the lines of First World War trenches. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin On the way back, the descent becomes something of a mountain trek. © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelin Practical informationLa Chaîne des terrils Base du 11/19 Rue de Bourgogne 62750 Loos en Gohelle Tel.: 03.21.28.17.28 You must book on one of the dates scheduled by the Chaîne des Terrils (individual visitors generally join a group). Depending on the season, climate conditions range from extreme cold to blistering heat that requires a cap and plenty of water. Don't forget good walking shoes. Activities: mountain bike trips, orienteering races, walks at dusk, themed walks (fauna, flora, etc.). © G. Rouzeau/ViaMaichelin | |
Tourism and Gastronomy
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