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Denain

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Nord

Denain - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Nord
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Denain is a northern city, region Hauts-de-France, 50 km south of Lille and 10 km from Valenciennes.

Located on the course of the Scheldt, the origin of the town dates back to the eighth century during the implementation of an abbey.

Mistreated during the war of succession of Spain (eighteenth century), Denain is on the edge of the nineteenth century rural village of less than a thousand inhabitants. His rocker history in 1828 when coal was discovered in a field. In a few decades, a whole industry developed around the mining of coal and soon the steel and metallurgy.

Denain soon one of the French capital in coal and steel. The population is growing exponentially and flirts with 30 000 in 1962. Total housing estates were built and the city is thriving.

As of 1978, the closure of industrial sites (including Usinor) and stopping mining plunges the city into a lasting crisis. The territory is dotted with brownfields. A slow reconquest must begin.

With today almost 20 000 inhabitants, the city showcases its historical and economic heritage, dumps were declared World Heritage by UNESCO, and culturally and recreation, its vitality is obvious. Denain certainly worth a visit.

Geographical information

MunicipalityDenain
Postcode59220
Latitude50.3282250 (N 50° 19’ 42”)
Longitude3.3973250 (E 3° 23’ 50”)
AltitudeFrom 26m to 115m
Surface area11.52 km²
Population20532 inhabitants
Density1782 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureLille (51 km, 43 min)
Insee code59172
IntercommunalityCA de la Porte du Hainaut
DepartmentNord
TerritoryFlandre-Artois
RegionHauts-de-France

Nearest cities & towns

Wavrechain-sous-Denain1.6 km (5 min)
Haveluy3.6 km (7 min)
Lourches4 km (9 min)
Rouvignies4.2 km (8 min)
Oisy4.7 km (8 min)
Haulchin4.9 km (10 min)
Douchy-les-Mines5.1 km (9 min)
Escaudain5.2 km (10 min)
Prouvy5.4 km (10 min)
Neuville-sur-Escaut5.7 km (11 min)
Roeulx5.9 km (14 min)
Wallers6 km (11 min)
Bellaing6.4 km (11 min)
Hérin6.4 km (11 min)

Things to see and do

Between architectural heritage and testimonies of the rich economic past, a city tour reflects 150 years of expansion related to the coal and steel industries.

One can begin with the remarkable Italian theater inaugurated in 1912, due to the architect Louis Six. It is one of the 20 most beautiful theaters in France according to specialists. Notable among these are the paintings on the ceiling, allegorically depicting the arts of comedy, music and dance.

Without forgetting a look at the statue of the Marshal of Villars, a work by Henri Gauquié inaugurated in 1913 in honor of the victor of the battle of 1712, a prelude to the Treaty of Utrecht which will establish the northern borders of France, You must then go to Place Baudin. The symbol of the "industrial" city is the Usinor hall, the dwellings where the engineers lived, the stadium, the communal hall (nineteenth century, built of red bricks and blue stones) Church of the Sacred Heart (early twentieth century). It was one of the lungs of the social and cultural life of the Denain of yore.

Then it goes to the testimonies of industrial history itself.

First, there is the Mathilde Pit, a building overlooking an old mine shaft operated until 1859. A high-pressure steam engine was installed there. La Fosse Mathilde was converted into master-worker's quarters. Since 2012, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then there is the Renard heap, 90 m high, covering 4 hectares, erected between 1836 and 1948 at the rate of exploitation of the homonymous pit. The site inspired Zola for Germinal. Classified Natural area of ​​Ecological, faunistic and floristic interest, a natural park of observation was created there. The slag has true plant diversity (88 species) and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.

The heifer Turenne, for its part, arranged as a walk, was born from the exploitation of the homonymous pit from 1828 to 1887.

As for the habitat, to visit then the coron Jean-Bart, built in 1852, which also inspired Zola. There are beautiful 19th century workers' houses on two floors, corner houses with pediment and pilasters.

The Chabaud-Latour settlement dates back to 1870. The working-class coron was first surrounded by the pit, exploited from 1842 to 1853, and then a new city was built between 1914 and 1930. The Chabaud-Latour city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another site, the last depot of the steam locomotives of Nord Pas-de-Calais, at the heart of a network that was the first railway built in France (first part of the nineteenth). From this real station, several elements remain, including dwellings and buildings (gasoline depot) prior to 1860.

It can be interesting and pleasant then to chain by the park Emile-Zola, an area of ​​18 hectares. There are the vestiges of the river port. Also to be seen, the mine Image, a reconstruction of the surface galleries that served as a learning center. The rest of the park has been rehabilitated and a green theater has been built. This park is the "green lung" of the city.

Back in the city center, a step is required in the museum of archeology and local history installed in the old town hall, in neoclassical style (19th). The collections trace the archaeological and historical past of Denain, and of course the industrial epic (objects, works of art). A room is also dedicated to the poet and miner Jules Mousseron, who restored his letters of nobility to the local dialect. Open every day except Mondays. Information on +33 3 27 23 59 51.

For exhibitions devoted to the fine arts, go to the Galeries Picasso. Contact us at +33 3 27 43 33 26.

For information on the various heritage sites of the city, and possibly guided tours (in addition to the didactic tables affixed to the monuments), please call +33 3 27 48 39 65.

For hiking or cycling on departure or including the city, please also call +33 3 27 48 39 65.

For lovers of fishing, go to Parc Lebret which includes a pond of 800 m². And for sports enthusiasts, the swimming pool Gustave Ansart offers swimming pool and play equipment. For further information, please call +33 3 27 43 40 43.

Places of interest

Leisure centres
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

The first weekend in March, Intheatrumdenonium is a festival dedicated to metal music.

Every Easter Monday, Carnival Denain is a typical large popular celebration of regional traditions. Processions and parades dressed, night parade, balls: an appointment which dates from the nineteenth century and remains a major date in the life of the city.

Another aspect of local culture, at the same time, a lively jumble sale held in the morning.

Equally happy, fun fairs are held from 2nd to 4th Sunday of February, from Palm Sunday to Easter Wednesday and the 2nd to the 3rd Sunday of October.

Finally, discover the tasty specialties of the region, visit the market Thursday morning and Sunday morning, the market square, near the Space Villars (tram terminus).

Photos

Pond
Pond
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the town
the town
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The church
The church
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The church
The church
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Pond
Pond
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City Hall
City Hall
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The interior of the church
The interior of the church
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the town
the town
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the town
the town
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the town
the town
See photo
the town
the town
See photo
the town
the town
See photo
The church
The church
See photo
The interior of the church
The interior of the church
See photo
The interior of the church
The interior of the church
See photo

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 17°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 18°C
Day
Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 17°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Skip-the-Line E-Ticket – Villa Cavrois
Culture and education9 € Croix (41 km)
Beer Tasting Treasure Hunt in Lille
Entertainment29 € Lille (42 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Cambrai Baroque
HikeEasy20 minCambrai (21 km)
Brave Trail (Serre-lès-Puisieux)
HikeEasy3:05Beaumont-Hamel (58 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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