The Stephanian intramontane Blanzy-Montceau Coal Basin is situated along a Variscan fault complex bordering the Upper Paleozoic Blanzy-Le Creusot-Bert graben. The deposition of coal-bearing strata was controlled by a complex of early faults known as the ＇＇Faille de Bordure＇＇ (FB, Border Fault). Another complex of Permian faults known as the ＇＇Faille de l＇Est＇＇ (FE, Eastern Fault) is situated along the more central part of the coal basin. Coalification in the basin follows three main trends: (1) Increasing rank from upper to lower coal seams in accordance with a general vertical trend(Hilt, 1873). The gradient of volatile matter is higher than normal, ranging from 3% to 11% Vdaf per 100 m or from 0.09%/0.16% to 0.7% R per 100 m. (2) Increasing rank within each seam towards the FB fault, an anomaly which cannot be explained by differences in lithology, present-day seam geometry or paleocover thickness. The FB fault complex controlled the paleoheat flow. The anomaly can be explained by means of convective circulation. Descending and ascending waters were presumably the main agents (negative and positive respectively) of heat transfer. The FE fault complex was relatively cold because of rapid Permian sedimentation which may have acted as a cooling factor. (3) Increasing rank towards the extensionally up-lifted, crystalline basement blocks. Coalification in the Blanzy-Montceau Basin started during the Stephanian and was probably completed prior to the Stephanian fault tectonics. Convective and conductive heat flow transfer played an important role. During the Permian, convective circulation probably had a cooling effect.