Sebourg - Circuit des hauts de Sebourg (f073)

Sebourg in the heart of mining

Sebourg, this peaceful village in the heart of the green Aunelle valley, seems completely untouched by mining. Yet, Grégoire Libert, founder of the Crespin concession mines in 1836, and two of the directors of the Anzin mines are among the illustrious figures who come from here. In 1869, Baron Alexis Aimé de la Grange became the main manager of the Anzin mines. His son, Baron Louis de la Grange, was appointed director of the Vicoigne and Nœux Mining Company in 1899. He was re-elected to this position in 1905, while also representing the Anzin Mining Company, owner of the Hasnon concession. The Anzin Company was the first mining company in the north and was established on November 19, 1757. Only after the liberation of Northern Ireland did mining begin to develop. The Anzin Coal Company was nationalized, leading to the establishment of the Valenciennes Coal Mines group. Baron de la Grange distinguished himself during World War I, where he, against the orders of the Kommandantur, managed to deceive the enemy and continued his duties in the management of the Anzin Company. He passed away on July 4, 1919, in Paris. Today, the mine in Anzin is closed, but the Coal Mine Museum has taken up the torch and tells the history of coal mining through paintings, archives, engravings, medals, lamps, fossils, and more. Sebourg is world-renowned for its collection of iron objects, managed by the PHER association. A project that Baron de la Grange would undoubtedly have been very proud of!