Bully-les-Mines: Mining History, Parks and Terril 52

Bully-les-Mines combines places of remembrance from its mining history with open spaces for walks and sporting activities. If you are planning a stay, you can start by considering which topics matter most to your visit: listed monuments, the history of the Compagnie des mines de Béthune, or the local landscapes and parks. These different aspects shape the way visitors see the town.

Monuments and places of remembrance

At the entrance to Square Henri-Darras stands the Monument au soldat Marche. It was unveiled on 4 October 1925 and moved to this entrance in the late 1970s. The monument has been protected as a historic monument since the decree of 12 January 2010. Its unveiling, subsequent relocation and date of protection mark different stages in its history.

The Monument aux morts de la Compagnie des Mines de Béthune is located on Place de la Marne. It commemorates 935 miners from the company’s Cité des Brebis who fell at the front during the First World War. Its protection as a historic monument also covers the memorial plaques and railings of the Cité des Brebis.

The memorial sites refer to different historical points: the Monument au soldat Marche focuses on its unveiling and relocation, while the monument on Place de la Marne specifically commemorates a group of miners who fell in the war. For visitors interested in local history, each monument therefore offers its own perspective on the town’s past.

Buildings with changing histories

In the Brebis district, Salle Jean Vasseur was formerly the function hall of the Compagnie des mines de Béthune. During the First World War, the building first served as a military hospital for French troops and later for British troops. The change from function hall to hospital shows how the building’s use changed during wartime.

Église Saint-Maclou, a distinctive church, is located in the town centre. The former Sainte-Barbe maternity hospital, now known as Les Marronniers, offers a different perspective on the town’s architectural history. Its façades and roof are protected. Together with the memorial sites, these buildings complete the picture of a town whose history can be read in its various buildings.

Terril 52 and Parc Henri Darras

Terril 52, also known as Terril du 2, is a mining spoil heap one kilometre long and 300 metres wide. Its shape and size make the former mining influence on the landscape easy to see. Today, the terril is also a biodiversity reserve for animal and plant species. It is used for recreation, walks and sporting activities; the sports on offer also include disc golf. If you are planning to take part in this particular activity, check the current options in advance, as individual offerings may change.

Parc Henri Darras has a different character: it is a wooded park covering more than seven hectares, with opportunities for walks and sporting activities. It also hosts outdoor festivals. The open spaces therefore differ in character: at the terril, the mining landscape, biodiversity and sport come together, while the park is defined by its wooded setting and its use for walks and events. If you are visiting for a particular festival, check the relevant event dates.

The market and the local weekly rhythm

The markets also give your visit a specific time reference. A market takes place on Place Victor Hugo on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., there is a market stall on Boulevard Alfred François. If a market visit is part of your plans, check the current times in advance, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Lens, Halinghen, Sempy, Morval, Wimereux, Longfossé, Violaines, Saint-Léonard.

For the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.