Paul Quilès

The initiator of the transformation

An engineer, Tarn MP and former minister, Paul Quilès chaired the inter-municipal body created after the mine closed in 1997. He promoted turning the industrial land into a major centre for sport, culture and mining memory.

Construction led to the opening of Cap Découverte in 2003. His role was political and territorial; operation belonged to the public syndicate and later the SMAD that manages the site today.