Freyming et Merlebach

Freyming and Merlebach share a similar history. Both towns were founded at about the same time, Merlebach in 1590 and Freyming in 1602. In the past, this sometimes meant rivalries and competition, but also first temporary common administrative structures. In 1971, both municipalities were officially joined as Freyming-Merlebach. Here in the centre of the Lorraine Coal Basin are the mines and the head quarter of the Lorraine coal mining company HBL. Indeed, the whole region is deeply marked by coal mining. New towns were founded and the two coalfield villages have changed considerably over time.