French Oil Museum

Did you know that Northern Alsace holds oil beneath its soil? It was in Merkwiller-Pechelbronn that oil extraction began in Europe. Since the late Middle Ages, local farmers used this oily substance to grease their tools, carts, or even as a remedy. From the 18th century, extraction took on an industrial scale, continuing until the site's closure in 1970. The Pechelbronn museum traces this unique saga through a comprehensive overview: from the geological formation of the deposit to its varied uses across centuries and continents, such as mummy embalming or construction. It also showcases technical innovations that marked oil history, like the first drillings, pumpjacks, and mining galleries. Highlights include the creation of the Antar company, the French Institute of Petroleum, and the first electric coring. The museum displays rich collections of period documents, historical and geological objects, as well as surprising models. Finally, it addresses renewable energies like geothermal power, highlighting the evolution of energy practices.