Roman exploitation Entre 70 av. J.-C. et 30 ap. J.-C. (≈ 100 av. J.-C.)
Filons operated by the rutene *societas*.
Début XIIe siècle - milieu XIIIe siècle
Cistercian operation
Cistercian operation Début XIIe siècle - milieu XIIIe siècle (≈ 1215)
Major silver production from Midi.
1266
Grant to partners
Grant to partners 1266 (≈ 1266)
Mine sold to three Lodevois.
2015
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2015 (≈ 2015)
Soil protection and basement.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The soil and the basement of the Cenomes silver mine, excluding buildings in elevation, located at the place known as Cenomes West, situated on parcels n°62 of a capacity of 19 to 72 ca and n°67 of a capacity of 1 ha 00 to 16 ca in the cadastre section G of the commune of Montagnol, are classified as historical monuments. Order of 24 February 2015 listing on the ground and the basement of the Cénomas silver mine, excluding buildings in elevation, located in Montagnol. The classification order of 11 December 2015 replaces the registration order of 24 February 2015.
Key figures
Bernard Léchelon - Mining archaeologist
Documented the mine in detail.
Moines cisterciens de Sylvanès - Medieval operators
The extraction began in the 12th century.
Origin and history
The Cenomes silver mine, located on the southern edge of the Central Massif in an area rich in silver copper, was operated by the Romans between 70 BC and 30 BC. Its abandonment did not result from the depletion of resources, but from the discovery of new deposits elsewhere in the Empire. This site, then in Rutène, was managed by mining companies.
From the beginning of the 12th century, the Cistercian monks of the Sylvanes Abbey re-launched the exploitation of local mines, becoming the main silver producers from the Midi until the middle of the 13th century. In 1266, they conceded the Cenomes mine to three Lodève partners, but the activity ceased rapidly despite the work undertaken. The galleries, reused in the 18th and 19th centuries for the production of cheese, retain traces of extraction methods: fire attack, metal tools, and later, powder use.
The site is distinguished by its excellent state of conservation and extensive documentation, thanks in particular to the work of archaeologist Bernard Latape. The galleries, accessible only via a private property (a cellar door), have been preserved from degradation. The mine illustrates a diachronic exploitation, combining ancient, medieval and modern remains, with remarkable legibility of the basement and surface plots, all belonging to the same owner.
Classified as a Historic Monument in 2015 (after a first registration in 2015), the Cénomes mine is a rare example of a protected silver-bearing site in France. Its soil and basement, excluding buildings in elevation, are covered by this decree, stressing its heritage importance for the study of mining techniques throughout the ages.
