Shaft 1bis of Liévin Collieries: What Lies Hidden in the Heart of France

Today, a solitary colossus presides over the town of Liévin. This is the Shaft 1bis chevalement, or monument, of the Liévin Collieries, erected to replace another lost during the First World War (1914-1918). It took shape between 1922 and 1923, born from the need to commemorate a time when France's economy pulsed with the rhythm of coal. Known as 'The Crown of France’s Coal', it stands tall at 57 meters, listing as a heritage site on three levels – regional (1) and national (3) in France, as well as on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Among the 353 elements across 109 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list on 30 June 2012, it holds the number 71. The chevalement, designed in the avant-carré porteur style, boasts trusses and beams, with a roof sloped in four directions. Millstones of six meters in diameter are installed at 40.5 meters in height.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons