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Musée de l'Ardoise: A Journey into Luxembourg's Slate Mining History

Discover Luxembourg's slate mining history at Musée de l'Ardoise: Explore underground mines and learn about the lives of slate workers.

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Delve into the captivating world of slate mining at the Musée de l'Ardoise, located in Haut-Martelange, Luxembourg. Explore the open-air museum, wander through historic buildings, and descend into the depths of the Johanna mine to discover the rich heritage of the region's slate industry.

A brief summary to Musée de l'Ardoise

  • Tuesday 1 pm-6 pm
  • Wednesday 1 pm-6 pm
  • Thursday 1 pm-6 pm
  • Friday 1 pm-6 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-6 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-6 pm

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy shoes and a jacket if you plan to visit the underground mine, as the temperature is a constant 9°C (48°F).
  • Check the museum's website for opening hours and special events, as they vary throughout the year.
  • Consider booking your tickets online in advance, especially for the underground mine tour, to ensure availability.
  • Take the industrial train for a ride around the site (available from May to October for a small fee).
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Getting There

  • Car

    The Musée de l'Ardoise is located in Haut-Martelange, easily accessible by car. From Luxembourg City, take the A6 motorway towards Arlon, then merge onto the N6 towards the north. Continue on the N6 until you reach the exit for Rambrouch. Follow the signs for Haut-Martelange. The museum is located at Entrée principale, 8823 Obermartelingen. Free parking is available on-site.

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Musée de l'Ardoise via public transportation, take bus 530 (from Ettelbrück/Diekirch) or bus 590 (from Redange). Get off at the "Leekoll" stop in Martelange. From there, it is a short walk to the museum entrance. A single bus fare within Luxembourg costs approximately €2.

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Discover more about Musée de l'Ardoise

The Musée de l'Ardoise, or Slate Museum, in Haut-Martelange, Luxembourg, offers a unique glimpse into the country's industrial past. This open-air museum sprawls across 8 hectares and encompasses over 22 buildings, each telling a part of the story of slate mining in the region. Visitors can explore the surface-level exhibits at their own pace, discovering the tools, techniques, and stories of the Martelange slate workers. For a more immersive experience, descend into the depths of the Mine Johanna, 42 meters below the surface, and witness firsthand the challenging conditions faced by the miners. This underground tour features modern lighting and audiovisual projections that bring the history of the slate industry to life. The museum site was an active industrial site from 1790 to 1986, producing an average of 12 million slates per year. In 1890, the German family Gebrüder Rother acquired all the slate quarries and houses in the village, modernizing the production workshops and giving the industrial site and village its architectural uniformity. Today, the Musée de l'Ardoise is managed by a non-profit organization created by the Luxembourg state, the municipality of Rambrouch, and Les Amis de l'Ardoise asbl. Throughout the year, the Musée de l'Ardoise hosts various events, including guided tours, creative workshops, a music festival, and a Christmas market. The museum also won the Luxembourg Tourism Award in 2023 for its underground tour through the slate extraction chambers at -42m, a unique experience in Luxembourg.

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