Centre Historique Minier, Lewarde, France

Dubbed as France’s biggest mining museum, the Centre Historique Minier is considered the most important of its kind in the country, as well. This 0.8-hectare museum sits in the town of Lewarde, France. The museum is open to the public and provides an in-depth exhibit of the history of mining and the miners itself who worked in the administrative region of Nord-pas-de-Calais. It has been operating for around three decades now, accommodating approximately 150,000 visitors annually.

While the town of Lewarde is worth exploring, you should also check out the neighboring cities of Dechy and Douai, both of which are less than a half-hour’s drive from the history center. You can also find comfy accommodations in either town, one of which is the family-friendly hotel in Dechy, Kyriad Douai Dechy. This hotel can also be a home to your pets as it allows guests to bring in their four-legged friends. Breakfasts are available upon request but at a surcharge. Aside from the on-site restaurant, there is also a garden area and snack bar available on the property. Meanwhile, you can find the ibis Styles Douai Gare Gayant Expo in the town of Douai. A complimentary continental breakfast is served at the hotel’s restaurant. Take advantage of the hotel’s business center and garden area, as well. From this hotel, you can easily go to Place d'Armes, which is just an 18-minute walk away. The Douai Hotel de Ville is also within walking distance from the hotel and is one of the famous landmarks in the area.