Hem is a city in the north, in the Hauts-de-France region, about fifteen kilometers east of Lille. The municipality belongs to the urban community of Lille, on the edge of urbanized areas and still agricultural land.
Hem was established under the Ancien Régime of a rural village around a castle that had disappeared. It was established at the turn of the 20th century with the establishment of industrial units (textiles, tile works, breweries). The population of only 1,600 inhabitants in the Revolution was 4,700 in 1901, and reached a peak in 1975, with 23,000 inhabitants. To the working-class housing estates had succeeded large ensembles constituting a new city at the gates of the old city.
With the subsequent crisis in the region, the number of inhabitants dropped below 20,000 by the end of the 20th century.
However, Hem has been able to start an economic reconversion. With a rich natural heritage, it also shows an associative and cultural dynamism that makes it a pleasant stage.
Discovering Hem in terms of built heritage allows us to embrace more than a century of architectural history from the second half of the 19th century to the 1960s, whether it be the testimony of the industry of yesteryear or of the " development of workers' housing.
A tour of the horizon must also include the Sainte-Thérèse chapel of the Enfant-Jésus and the Sainte-Face (20th century), which was included in the inventory of historic monuments in 1995. It was consecrated in 1958, Swiss architect Hermann Baur and has the specificity of integrating himself into a Flemish-type farm, the whole evoking a beguinage (where formerly religious and secular women used to cohabit). The chapel houses works of modern art, including two stained glass walls by Alfred Manessier and sculptures by Eugène Dodeigne.
On the civil plane, to see the so-called houses of Hempempont, four low houses with their dependencies, inscribed in 1995.
A walk will also include passages through the three natural areas of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest which meet at the borders of the territory of the municipality (nearly 10 km² of area). The opportunity to see animals (batrachians, birds) or protected plants.
For hiking and mountain biking routes starting or including the municipality, please call +33 3 20 59 62 80. It is also possible to contact the local club "Ça marche" which organizes "outings" every other Sunday. Information on +33 3 20 66 58 02.
Always for sportsmen, Hem is full of potentialities. Go to the swimming pool for swimming, diving or water aerobics. Rates 2,10 and 3,30 euros. Information on +33 3 20 75 78 99.
For horse riding, join the equestrian center of the castle of Hem at +33 3 20 83 82 19 or the equestrian center Le Comte at +33 3 28 33 93 28.
You can prefer futsal (contact +33 6 29 59 39 64) or take advantage of the skate-park or fitness areas in the Outlook garden (information on +33 3 20 66 58 02). For tennis finally, covered or outdoor courts can be booked. Please call +33 3 20 80 33 22.
In the river or in the pond, fishing is another way of enjoying the verdant environment which constitutes a good part of the communal territory. Contact the local association on +33 3 62 52 95 79.
In terms of culture, the Espace Culturel Franchomme offers exhibitions, initiation workshops on plastic arts or musical entertainment. Program and information on +33 3 20 66 58 48. As for the Zéphyr room, it hosts concerts or shows (theater). Contact the +33 3 20 66 58 09 for programming and booking.
Regional tradition obliges, in mid-March the colorful and animated carnival runs through the streets of Hem.
It is followed in March or April by the carnival.
On Ascension Thursday, Oxyg'Hem gathers 2,000 riders of all ages on different routes: 800 m, 1,5 km, 5 km or 10 km.
At the end of June, the Zephyr Leisure Show brings together private associations and structures that offer a variety of activities for both the local population and tourists.
On the evening of July 13th, to celebrate the National Day, a musical firework is fired from the heart of the Garden of Perspectives.
On the occasion of "Hem en fête", the first weekend of September, the program starts on Saturday with a sale and continues on Sunday with spectacular entertainment in the park of the town hall.
Finally, the rich terroir of the North is to be discovered in all its diversity on the occasion of the weekly market, every Sunday morning, from 8 am to 1 pm, on the Grand'Place.