This northern French town has medieval origins, art museums, and lace-making traditions. Its 18th-century bell tower is a UNESCO site, and local markets sell regional cheeses.
Valenciennes sits along the Scheldt River in northern France's Hauts-de-France region, 15 kilometers from Belgium. After heavy damage in World War II, the city rebuilt its center while preserving landmarks like the Hôtel de Ville's 19th-century front and the medieval Dodenne Tower. The Musée des Beaux-Arts displays paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck alongside local artists. Every September, giant puppet figures parade through the streets during the Procession des Géants. Direct trains reach Lille in 35 minutes and Paris in two hours, with Belgium's border towns accessible by car in under an hour.
Key Historical Sites
The HĂ´tel de Ville's carved stone front remains one of few original structures near Place d'Armes, spared from 1940s bombing. Three blocks east, bullet marks still pockmark the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Saint-Cordon's walls from World War I battles. Walk south along Rue Askievre to see La Maison Espagnole's curved wooden beams, built during Spanish rule in the 1500s and now containing tourist information. The thick-walled Dodenne Tower gives views over Parc de la Rhonelle, where pink cherry trees bloom each April. Across town, the angular Beffroi tower completed in 2007 rises above rebuilt neighborhoods with an observation deck at 35 meters.
Museums and Cultural Venues
At the Musée des Beaux-Arts on Boulevard Watteau, you'll find 17th-century Flemish paintings next to sculptures by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. The museum's second floor focuses on Antoine Watteau, the Valenciennes-born painter who influenced Rococo art. Researchers can request access to the Jesuit Library's 15th-century manuscripts kept in a vaulted room near Place du Neufbourg. For live events, check the schedule at Théâtre le Phénix - its glass exterior lights up blue during evening performances beside the river.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Parc de la Rhonelle has walking trails under mature oak trees circling a duck pond with stone bridges. Locals fish for perch at Lac du Vignoble's western shore, where a wooden boardwalk crosses marshes filled with herons. Rent bicycles at the train station to follow flat paths through the Scarpe-Escaut park, passing old coal mine entrances now surrounded by willow trees.
Food and Crafts
Seven lace workshops still operate around Place d'Armes using techniques from the 1700s - watch artisans make intricate patterns on Thursdays. The Saturday market on Rue de Famars sells ingredients for carbonnade flamande stew, including local brown ale and thick-cut bacon. Chocolate shops near Rue Framars prepare lucullus candies with hazelnut cream centers wrapped in gold foil.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
From September 5-15, lace-makers demonstrate their craft at pop-up studios across downtown during the Fêtes de la Dentelle. On the first Sunday in May, 12-foot-tall puppet figures march from the basilica to the train station while drummers keep rhythm. The Festival 2 Cinéma in October screens independent films at Théâtre le Phénix, with directors often attending evening shows.
Getting Around and Day Trips
Valenciennes station has hourly trains to Lille (35 minutes) and six daily TGVs to Paris (2 hours). Drive 20 minutes west to Saint-Amand-les-Eaux to see the 17th-century abbey tower with thermal spring exhibits. Head east for 25 minutes to explore Le Quesnoy's star-shaped military walls built by Vauban in 1668. Cross into Belgium via the A2 motorway to reach Mons' medieval belfry in 55 minutes.
Education and Innovation
The University of Valenciennes runs engineering programs focused on rail technology, with test tracks visible from the D935 highway. At Serre Numérique, digital artists work in a converted coal warehouse redesigned with motion-capture studios. Students gather at Café des Arts on Rue Delsaux for weekly poetry readings and electronic music nights.
