Street Art in Cévennes

Come discover a circuit of Street Art in Cevennes,

open sky, unique in Cevennes,

In Bessèges, the former mining town of the Cevennes Gardoises, Street Art gives back, to this rural commune, the colors of its workers' past.

Its walls inherited from the time of mines and industry, offer a playground rich in promises to street artists with different inspirations and styles.

On the website of  M.I.A.O.U.  (Intercommunal Museum of Open and Urban Art) you will find a map (of Bessèges) with all the frescoes listed and documented. see here : MIAOU

You can also enjoy a guided tour with Mariette EMILE (DE speaking guide),

and see his program here: Street Art Cevennes

Origin

« Beou-Cèze » was a simple hamlet in the parish of Saint-Andéol de Robiac. By imperial decree of 1 January 1858 Bessèges was born administratively. Attracted by the richness of the basement, the first Bessegeans flocked to the neighbouring departments: Ardèche and Lozère.

A fungus city par excellence, Bessèges is built and developed in exceptional times on the slopes of the hills and the banks of the Cèze river.

The Catastrophe of Lalle

On October 11, 1861, a violent storm broke out in the area. The flooded Long Creek simmered rapidly in the mine galleries. Of the 139 miners on that day, 110 died drowned, 4 survivors were found several days later, including a young boy.

The Houillère Company

It is indisputable that Bessèges owes its creation to coal alone. Its operation had begun in 1809.

Metallurgy

In parallel with the mining industry, metallurgy ensured the birth and growth of the city of Bessèges.

source: History of Bessèges

 

click on images to enlarge

Click on images to enlarge