Château de l'Hermitage

This château, a symbol of the 18th century coal-mining aristocracy, is located in the center of the Condé-Bonsecours forest. Owned by the Duc de Croÿ, who also owned the land on which the first pits were dug, it was here in November 1757 that the deed of foundation for France's very first mining company was signed. As such, the château is one of the heritage elements making up the "Bassin minier" World Heritage Site in 2012. The "sentier du Maréchal de Croÿ" (Marechal de Croÿ trail), a...