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Loos-en-Gohelle
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ℹ️Practical info — Loos-en-Gohelle
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Climb the 11/19 twin slag heaps (terrils) on a clear day for sweeping views of the entire historic mining basin.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes; the path up the heaps is made of loose black shale and can be slippery.
- Read the outdoor information boards at the Base 11/19 site before your hike to understand the local coal history.
- Respect the ecological zones; the town is a model for green transition and protects specific wildlife areas on the heaps.
🍽 Food
🍽
Carbonnade Flamande
A hearty beef stew slow-cooked in regional dark beer, traditionally served in a local estaminet.
🍽
Frites
Grab authentic northern French fries from a roadside 'friterie' near the old mining base.
🍽
Regional Craft Beer
Taste an artisanal local beer to experience the strong and historic brewing culture of the region.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Ch'ti Souvenirs
Look for items celebrating northern French mining heritage at the Base 11/19 site shop.
🛍
Bio-regional produce
The sustainable farms in and around the town offer fresh organic vegetables and genuine local honey.
🧘
Base 11/19 Green Spaces
The reclaimed natural areas at the foot of the heaps are incredibly quiet and atmospheric at dawn.
🧘
Town Eco-Park
A peaceful spot that impressively highlights the community's transition from coal to green energy.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Loos-en-Gohelle is a town of immense symbolic value located in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. It is globally recognized for hosting the highest twin slag heaps (terrils) in Europe, known as number 11 and 19, which soar to 186 meters and are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following the cessation of coal mining in 1986, the town embarked on an extraordinary journey of reinvention. It is now celebrated as a national pioneer in ecological transition, focusing on sustainable urbanism, renewable energy, and social innovation. Historically, the town was central to the 1915 Battle of Loos during World War I, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with poignant military cemeteries and memorials that attract visitors from around the world. The town's architecture features the iconic red-brick 'corons', former miners' housing, that have been carefully preserved to maintain the community's identity. Geographically, the ascent of the slag heaps provides a unique vantage point over the Gohelle plain, showcasing a landscape where industrial heritage and nature have harmoniously merged. Today, Loos-en-Gohelle stands as a beacon of hope for post-industrial regions, demonstrating how a heritage based on coal can be transformed into a future based on green energy and environmental stewardship.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Twin Slag Heaps 11/19 · Saint-Vaast Church · Dud Corner Cemetery
- Nearby: Liévin (4 km)
- Population: ~6.904
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 55 | 53 | 41 | 59 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 52 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Geography
Facts
- Highest point (slag heap): 186 meters
- Total area: 12.7 km²
- Year of last coal extraction: 1986
- UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012
- Postal code: 62750
- Home to the memorial of the Battle of Loos (1915)
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Loos-en-Gohelle (8)
Frequently asked questions
What is Loos-en-Gohelle famous for?
The town is home to the highest slag heaps (Terrils) in Europe, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Can you climb the Terrils?
Yes, marked paths lead to the summits of the twin slag heaps 11/19 and offer a panoramic view.
What is the 'Base 11/19'?
It is a former mining site that is now a center for culture and ecological development.
What significance did the place have in WWI?
The Battle of Loos took place here in 1915; numerous memorials and cemeteries commemorate it.
What should you eat in a local Estaminet?
Try Welsh (melted cheese on bread) or Carbonnade Flamande (beef stew).
Loos-en-Gohelle: where is it located?
Loos-en-Gohelle is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Loos-en-Gohelle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Twin Slag Heaps 11/19, Saint-Vaast Church, Dud Corner Cemetery.
Loos-en-Gohelle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Loos-en-Gohelle: why is it worth visiting?
Loos-en-Gohelle is a town of immense symbolic value located in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France.
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