The Mines en Corbieres Festival will be held in Massac on the 29th July this year.

As part of the development of the mining heritage of the Corbières, the Association Mines in Corbières invites you to participate in the celebration of the mines held this year in Massac, a village on who’s barite mines were exploited until the 1970s..

The Festival will begin with a discovery tour of the mining remains of Matefagine, deep the of wild  and will require a bit of physical effort.

After the walk there will be a, picnic (10 €, -12 years 5 €).

For hiking and picnics, registration essential: +33 (0) 4 68 45 47 13 or minesencorbières@orange.fr.

Afternoon: conferences, animations, games.

The site of Matefagine is one of the most interesting of the Corbières, because one can still see there the traces of the methods of exploitation of the barite through the material left on the spot: galleries, rails, cables, carriages, engines, hoppers, etc.

The difficult climb in the scree offers a panoramic view of the Torgan Valley, the silhouettes of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse castles looming on the horizon.

It is in this solitary and magnificent setting that men have exercised their difficult job. The mayor of Massac, André Barthès, will testify to this life of the miners.

 

Outside of the festival of the mine, which brings together two hundred and fifty participants each year, the association works in cooperation with the Touri st Board of the Corbières Minervois, to make available to the public the Lacamp discovery walk, which is more accessible than Matefagine.

The project to recover the old mines also includes a documentation and interpretation center at the Château de Cascastel, which is in the process of being restored.

Meanwhile, the best welcome will be reserved Sunday, July 29 in Massac.

Program

8:30 am Discovery tour of the mining remains of Matefagine

Departure and arrival at the meeting point – 3km approx.
It is quite a difficult walk  (steep slope, pebbles), be well shod and in good physical condition, not recommended for young children.

At 12h, return to the village for picnic and other activities.
Registration 04 68 45 47 73 or on Mines in Corbières

Parking and meeting point about 1.7 km from Massac. From the village go 1.4 km to Soulatgé and take the path on the right just before the bridge over the Torgan.
After 300m, parking in the field on the left.

12:30 Picnic “Paper bagr”

(musette, hard-boiled egg, tomato, pâté sandwich, sausage, goat’s cheese, rousquille, compote, bottle of water, coffee + ticket for a drink at the bar) 10 € – child – 12 years 5 €
Limited quantity – Reserve your musette before the 24/07/2018 in 04 65 45 47 73 or on Mines in Corbières

15h Conferences

Jean Louis Escudier: the life of the minor with a testimony of André Barthès, Mayor of Massac.
Michel Yvroux, The Corbières Geopark Project
Julien Mantenant: Update on archaeological research at the Fourques site

All day

– Metal founders
– Mineral exhibition
– Slideshow and film about the Corbieres Mines
– Treasure hunt
– Educational workshop
– Breakfast

A little history of Aude Tramways