Coal city in France. New life

The French city of Los-en-Goel in 1970 switched to a green economy, and for 45 years now no coal mine has been working there.

However, as a reminder of past times, two huge heaps remained in this place, which became the symbols of the city.

Each of the heaps reaches 66 meters in height and looks especially impressive from above.

The coal reserves in Los en Goel became known in the 1850s. Then a new era of development of the city began, which later turned into one of the centers for the extraction of this mineral. The population began to grow, and life flourished. However, in 1915, all hopes for further development were interrupted - the outbreak of World War I almost completely wiped out the settlement from the face of the earth, not sparing a single building.

The city closed its first coal mine in 1970, thus marking its intention to completely switch from coal to solar energy.

The remaining two huge slag pyramids are now familiar to everyone who traveled between London, Calais and Brussels by train or motorway. These black mountains, which have become a familiar decoration of the local landscape, are the highest heaps in Europe and are visible from afar.

The very concept of "heaps" refers to a mound of waste that was recovered during underground mining.

City solar panels against the backdrop of coal dumps look like the past and the future of the city met in one photograph.

An electronic panel on the wall of the church informs about the amount of electricity generated by solar panels. And how much coal would it take to create the same amount?

As in any other city with a "green economy", the inhabitants of Los an Goel themselves grow crops on their plots.

Currently, next to the black heaps - a local attraction - forests are already growing and roads have been laid. The objects themselves are actively reclaiming and planting trees to prevent them from collapsing as a result of adverse weather conditions.