The oldest mines that can be visited in Europe, used to strike Carolingian royal coins.
Here the limestone soil has enclosed crystallized lead rich in silver ore in underground pockets, or “geodes”.
They were exploited from the 6th century, but it was during the reign of Charlemagne that money was minted for the first time in Melle’s workshops …
The site, in addition to visiting the mine, offers a retrospective of the striking techniques used at that time. Three animations are also presented around the themes of metallurgy in history, vegetable dyeing and weaving, and the art of illumination and calligraphy.
The visit of the “Carolingian garden” will allow you to discover the plants which were cultivated at that time, for consumption purposes, of course, but also for medicine or the making of clothes.