La Cité de l'Or/Village minier de Bourlamaque

Présentation

The Cité de l’Or invites you to become miner for a day. Live the unique experience of an underground descent to a depth of 300 ft (91 m) into the drifts of the former Lamaque Mine, a certified cultural property since July 2010. Learn about methods of gold ore extraction and various miner trades in Canada’s deepest mine accessible to tourists. In our underground auditorium, watch the video "La symphonie du mineur". At the surface, a guided tour of five heritage buildings helps appreciate the impressive size of certain equipment and understand the day-to-day operations of a mining complex. At the assay laboratory, watch ore in the solid state turn liquid before eventually becoming gold bars. An exceptional witness to the one-time gold rush era of Abitibi, the Village minier de Bourlamaque boasts 60 log houses that are still inhabited. An audioguide will take you on a journey through its history and the lifestyle of yesteryear’s families. New this year: GeoRally. Using your GPS, participate in a theme rally inspired by geocaching. Member of the Réseau muséal de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue: reseaumuseal-at.ca.

Geocaching

Our GPS rally is inspired from geocatching. Learn how to use a geopositioning receiver, now an essential tool for mineral exploration. Participants must use a GPS, to be provided on site, to find the answers to a thematic questionnaire…which answers are hidden in caches. In addition to being a scientifically educational and rewarding teamwork experience, the activity returns this year with two core themes: gold and mineral exploration. Walking boots and clothing appropriate for the weather are required.

Schedule: May 15 to October 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: children: $5; Adult: $7. Group rates available. Reservation recommended.

Average duration: 90 minutes

Full visit

Adults: $38, children (6 to 11 years of age): $18.25
Other rates available.

Express Visit Underground (2 hrs)

Adults: $25.25, children: $12.25
Other rates available

Express Visit Surface (2 hrs)

Adults: $18.25, children: $12.25
Other rates available

Schedule

Guided tours, underground and surface, in the summertime. Reservation recommended. Several departures daily. June 19 thru September 5. Fall schedule: Upon reservation, the site welcomes visitors with open arms.

Additional Information

Warm clothing and closed shoes are recommended (underground temperature: 8 °C).

New exhibition

By a new exhibition, " De l'or plein les veines", discover the history of this mine and learn about the different trades. You will also learn the main changes that the mine has known.