Villeneuve-d'Ascq is a northern city in the Hauts-de-France region, in the heart of the metropolitan area of Lille, the capital of the département, of which it borders.
It is a "new town" born in 1970 from the merger of three municipalities, Ascq, Annapes and Flerq-lez-Lille, as part of a government plan to "unblock" certain metropolises.
In fact, Villeneuve-d'Ascq has grown rapidly from 11,600 inhabitants in 1968 to about 63,000 today. It hosts a large number of university campuses, tertiary activities centers (scientific research, trade, business) and equipment serving the entire metropolis of Lille, such as the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
Urbanization has, however, been accompanied by the preservation of a certain living environment since the territory has 200 hectares of natural areas and six lakes. But for the visitors or tourists staying in the region, it is also the important cultural vitality of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, via its many museums in particular, that will amply justify a stage.
Among the must-see sites to visit in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, the LaM, museum of modern art, contemporary art and raw art, which is one of the great museums in northern Europe. There are over 4,500 works in three collections. Located in the heart of a park of sculptures, this edifice with the audacious architecture wants to be both place of culture and pleasure. There are paintings by Modigliani, Picasso, Braque, Buren... Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance: from 5 to 10 euros. Information on +33 2 20 19 68 88.
Many other museums dot the city. Like the Departmental Science Forum, a cultural center dedicated to science and technology for all audiences. Temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, a documentary resource center are gathered. Open every day except Monday. Information on +33 3 59 73 96 00.
In the green setting of the Parc du Héron, Asnapio is a park of archaeological reconstructions that retraces in a pedagogic and playful way the evolution of the habitat in the north of France, from the Neolithic to the end of the Middle Ages. Open from April to October. Admission: 2.20 and 4 euros. For further information, please call +33 3 20 47 21 99.
This historical odyssey can be continued with the Musée des Moulins, which evokes the evolution of mill-related techniques but also the crafts of yesteryear. Open Monday through Friday. Information on +33 3 20 05 49 34.
It is logical to chain with the Museum of Plein Air, which offers a bucolic walk through a park where is evoked the rural life of past centuries (craftsmanship, heritage). Open from April to October. Admission: 3 and 5 euros. Information on +33 3 20 63 11 25.
Another establishment that evokes the past, the Museum of the Terroir, housed in an 18th century farmhouse. There are exhibits of agricultural objects and related to the daily life and craft in rural area until the post-war in the Lille region. A traditional tavern has even been restored. Open from March 1st to November 30th from Monday to Friday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and public holidays from 3 pm to 6 pm. Admission: 2 and 4 euros. For further information, please call +33 3 20 91 87 57.
We will not forget the museum of the castle of Flers, which presents temporary exhibitions related to archeology, local history and regional ethnology. Free admission. Information on +33 3 20 43 55 71.
Finally, memorial site as well as museum, the Memorial Ascq 1944 was founded to perpetuate the memory of the victims of the massacre of April 1944, where 86 men of the village were executed by SS. Open on the first Sunday of the month and public holidays from 2 pm to 5.30 pm and on reservation for groups. Free admission. For further information, please call +33 3 20 91 87 57.
Villeneuve-d'Ascq did not draw a line on its past in terms of built heritage.
Several nuggets are still visible on the territory of former merged localities.
This is the case of the Villa Gabrielle, built at Annappes in the middle of the 17th century. Noble residence, it was then bequeathed to the Sisters of Charity. Or of the castle of Flers, built in 1661 in bricks and stone, which makes an example of the regional style and still of the castle of the Sart, built in 1740, surrounded by moat, but of classical way. Still to see, the castle of Brigode, built in 1770 which was then endowed with an English park and became property of the Count of Montalembert. The Hunting Pavilion of the latter, renovated by the Compagnons du Devoir is also an example of the classical architecture in an environment otherwise green. Today it is a "relay nature".
Back in the 21st century for those who wish to discover the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, with a capacity of 50,157 places in a football configuration, with a mobile roof. It can be transformed into an auditorium with 29,500 spectators for indoor sports competitions or shows. An example of a bold contemporary architecture, its visit allows access to areas that are generally forbidden to the general public (cloakrooms, lawns, press conferences...). Information on +33 3 20 59 40 00.
Well served by public transport (via the metro), Villeneuve-d'Ascq also has 30 km of footpaths. What to stretch your legs and also take advantage of sites synonymous with a change of scenery such as the Parc du Héron and its 110 hectares of water and green areas. It is home to a nature reserve with a rich bird diversity of 200 species. Within it, we will gladly pass by the hill of Marchenelles which overlooks the lake and offers a remarkable point of view.
Another area that makes the transition between nature and contemporary urbanism, located between the site of the mills, the LaM and the Parc du Héron, Urbain Park is for recreation, promenades (numerous wooded paths) and it is marked out with playgrounds And picnicking.
To better understand this geography and this very varied environment, where architecture of yesteryear, modernist buildings and verdant sites coexist, circuits of walks that can also be traveled by bike have been designed. Maps and information on +33 3 20 43 55 75.
Finally, to remember that the city is equipped with two swimming pools with slides and outdoor lawns. Same price: 3,50 and 5 euros. Information on +33 3 28 80 00 47 (pool of the Triolo) and +33 3 20 89 56 20 (nautical center Babylone).
The last weekend of June, at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, the Live Nation Festival (or North Summer Festival) features internationally renowned artists (rock, pop) and electro concerts.
At the beginning of September, on the campus of the Lille 1 university, the Mix'Cités festival is open to all audiences and offers concerts and convivial events.
The last weekend of September, the Fant'Ascq festival organized in the Espace Concorde brings together artists specialized in conjuring.
On the second weekend of November, the Fossilium is a fossil and mineral scholarship that hosts up to 50 exhibitors and has an international reputation. The show also features thematic exhibitions.
Finally, for those who want to discover the specialties of the northern region (cheeses, beer, market gardening), visit the markets on Wednesday morning Place de la République, Friday morning Place de Gaulle and Saturday afternoon place Of Verdun.
