Valenciennes

Valenciennes

Travel guide and tourist information

Travel guide and tourist information

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Town	Valenciennes
Insee code	59606
Postcode	59300
Latitude	50.3571130
Longitude	3.5183320
Altitude	From 17 to 56 meters
Surface	13.84 km²
Population	44362 inhabitants
Density	3205 inhabitants/km²		CLOSEST TOWNS
National label			Saint-Saulve at 2.6 km (6 min)
Chief town	Lille (at 52 km, 39 min)		Anzin at 3.1 km (7 min)
Department	Nord		Marly at 3.2 km (7 min)
Region	Nord-Pas-de-Calais		Search another town

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• A privileged location:

• Valenciennes, sub-prefecture of the Nord department, capital of the province of French Hainault, is situated in Nord - Pas de Calais, the third economic region in France.
• Two hours from the main capitals of Northern Europe, Valenciennes is particularly favored by its geographical location. At the heart of Europe, the city is close to five European countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and the UK.
• Network of urban transport performance, quality motorways, TGV direct to Paris, close to international airports, travel guarantee easy, fast and in good safety conditions.
• Valenciennes is the central city of the third town in the Nord - Pas de Calais, the Valenciennes region, which includes the communities of Greater Metropolitan Valenciennes, Porte du Hainaut and the community of municipalities of the Valley Scarpe. The district has 81 communes rich diversity: a multitude of landscapes, and recreational facilities available to residents. Its population, including more than 30% are under 20 years is an exceptional talent pool.
• Expertise clusters economic performance, human-scale habitat, businesses of all sizes, the presence of key governmental, recreational modern, nurseries, hospitals, cultural and sporting events, can enjoy the benefits of large cities while avoiding their disadvantages.

• Transport infrastructure:

• A road network interconnected to the European network: A2 Paris-Brussels - Lille-A23 Valenciennes - Bypass mining Valenciennes-Douai.
• Access to major ports in the North Sea by the Canal de l'Escaut large gauge: canal river-sea-Dunkirk-Valenciennes Belgium and the port of Valenciennes, the third river port after Dunkirk and Lille.
• Five international airports within two hours of Valenciennes: Lille Lesquin (25 min) - Paris / Charles de Gaulle (1:45 min) - Brussels-Zaventem (1h) - Beauvais (1:45) - Charleroi (1 hour).
• A business airfield equipped all Valenciennes time of 5 minutes.
• Direct links to Paris by TGV.

• A transit system performance:

• A tram line between the university and the neighborhood Dutemple downtown, with an extension to Denain.
• A second line project to the Land of Conde with an extension to Belgium.
• A bus network of 638 km, 31 lines, 750 stops.

• Matching and multiple collaborations: This opening to Europe and the world is also reflected by many twinning and cooperation since 1955. These exchanges are a source of mutual enrichment:

• Medway (England).
• Yichang (China).
• Düren (Germany).
• Moscow (Russia).
• Agrigento (Italy).
• Nacka (Sweden).
• Gliwice (Poland).
• Miskolc (Hungary).

• A turbulent history:

• Placed in the border area and at the crossroads of many routes, Valenciennes experienced a turbulent history, rich and often flamboyant but sometimes quite dramatic.
• The first mention of the city date from the late 7th century. However, the creation and development of the city on the banks of the Scheldt back to earlier times, in connection with settlements of Roman Famars and Bavay.
• Valenciennes, become a real strategic position with its keep, its fortifications, the palace of the counts, his town house, its belfry, convents and monasteries was, in all ages, highly coveted. First Frankish Valenciennes fell successively under the authority of the houses of Lorraine, Flanders, Bavaria, Burgundy, Austria, Spain to become permanently French in 1677.
• The influence of commercial and industrial capital of Hainaut has continued over the centuries. Coal, discovered in 1723, then, in the 18th century, the lace industry and the earthenware allow it to reach its peak. In 1860, Valenciennes be nicknamed "Athens of the North" because of the many famous local artists (including 21 first major of Rome Price: Harpignies, Carpeaux, etc..) Or visiting the city and the lavish parties given there.
• A history marked by wars: Valenciennes has undergone many battles, sieges, invasions that left wounds in the body of the city. More recently, the battles of the reconquest in 1918 and the fire downtown in 1940 led to considerable damage changing the urban fabric. The Dodenne Tower, built in 1449 to strengthen the defenses of the city and control the entry of the river in the city, is the latest evidence of this walled city warlike past.
• Valenciennes today: The town is completely transformed and is back playing his role as a metropolis of regional balance. A spectacular urban renewal Valenciennes allows us to offer a living environment as pleasant and the best conditions to flourish. Valenciennes regained its former luster and attractiveness as expected of a city-center.

• The Miracle of Saint-Cordon:

• Known beyond its borders, the oldest tradition of Valenciennes traces the roots of its history. In 1008, during a plague epidemic, the Virgin Mary appeared to a pious hermit named Bertholin. She then deployed around the city, a cordon of protection that instantly stopped the contagion of this evil and healed them. Each year, the Brotherhood of Royes of Our Lady of Saint-Cordon, created at that time, and provides a great solemnity surrounding the commemoration of this miracle to pay tribute to the Queen City.
• In 2008, around the Notre Dame Basilica of Saint-Cordon, "the millennium of Saint-Cordon."
• Many cultural and religious activities offered: concerts, seminars, exhibitions, lectures, historical procession ... not to mention the procession of September 14, 2008 print of an exceptional character.

• In the land of festivals:

• Hospitality, leisure and celebration are deeply inscribed in the tradition and history of the city.
• Carnivals, ducasses, sidewalk sales, the people here have a strong sense of conviviality and celebration. Like many northern cities, Valenciennes kept the tradition of giant, colorful characters that are the heart of popular jubilation for centuries. Each year during the feast days of September, Binbin drives the young and old in a beautiful carnival parade and folk.

• The lace Valenciennes:

• Very rare, lace Valenciennes is one of the world's most valuable. The art of "Valenciennes" enjoyed a meteoric rise through Valenciennoise, Françoise Badar, who founded the 18th century a congregation of women to pass on his expertise. What was once a thriving industry employing some 4,000 workers who had to live up to the revolution all kinds of corporations is now a part of leisure among the Fine Arts.
• Discover, in the lobby of City Hall and media library, an exhibition of stunning works. The School of lace Valenciennes offers demonstrations of this beautiful tradition. The "Valenciennes" is available in several retail outlets in the city.

• Gastronomy:

• The food is also very present in Valenciennes. Members of the association and Home Gastronomy that brings together restaurateurs, hoteliers, tourism professionals will help you discover a rich and varied cuisine, not to mention the tasty cuisine of Northern and local specialties such as language Lucullus.
• The Bakers of Hainaut are no exception and will delight your taste buds with the famous pastry "the Carpeaux", the "Follies" and many other delicacies such as heap "Germinal" ...

• Culture:

• City market and industrial in nature, has always left a Valenciennes into the arts and artists whereby radiation is now well above its borders.
• The culture accessible to all: Animated by the conviction that culture is a vehicle for discovery, education, integration and openness, Valenciennes is committed to design and implement a cultural policy in particular and ambitious. The number and quality of its facilities make Valenciennes "Athens of the North". A national stage, the Phoenix, and municipal institutions as the Museum of Fine Arts, Media Library, the School of Fine Arts, the Conservatory ..., promote diversity and variety of cultural events offered to Valenciennes.

• The Museum of Fine Arts Valenciennes:

• This imposing palace with large proportions prestigious showcases the artwork covering the periods from the Gallo-Roman times until the 20th century. He holds an extraordinary collection of Flemish paintings (Rubens, Jordaens, Van Dyck) and French (Watteau, Pater, Lancret, etc..).
• Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux and his contemporaries are staged in a large sculpture garden in the heart of the building.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Valenciennes also offers all the resources of a modern museum: conference room, bookshop, café and educational workshops.

• The Multimedia Library Valenciennes:

• Listed as a "historic monument", it occupies the buildings of the former Jesuit College. Rich fund of priceless manuscripts, incunabula, books prior to the 19th century, it has the oldest poem in French "La Sainte-Eulalie Cantilena" from the year 882.
• Completely renovated, the library is a great site to access knowledge and information for all audiences: 300,000 books, newspapers, magazines, CDs, movies, 30 networked microcomputers with an online catalog. True place of trade and entertainment, the media library hosts exhibitions, performances, lectures and reading workshops.

• The Conservatory Valenciennes:

• Tourism or the birth of many renowned composers, saw the birth of his Valenciennes Academy of Music in 1697. It was in 1884 that this prestigious institution is the National School of Music and Dramatic Art.
• In this forum designated "school resource" teachers attended each year some 620 students from 5 to 20 years in 40 classes in 34 different disciplines taught. They enjoy an arts program classified and controlled by the Ministry of Culture. The child is practicing, listening, talks and looks. This balance between knowledge of self and others enabled him to find true fulfillment in musical moments: evaluations, exams, auditions, concerts, entertainment ...

• "The Phoenix", nationally:

• This theater, the largest theater equipment north of Paris, has a particularly flamboyant and impressive architecture. It offers each year a festival of great diversity: theater, classical music, jazz, dance and young people.
• At the forefront of new technology, it provides companies and institutions to organize their seminars, congresses, conferences, conventions ...

• Any heritage to explore:

• At dusk, feel free to stroll through the town to discover Valenciennes dressed light.
• Through the implementation of the lighting plan, more than 60 sites that are now illuminated: historical monuments, buildings individuals, squares, squares, gardens ... the finest locations available to you!

Green Square		Museum of Fine Arts
Jesuit College		Place d'Armes
Place d'Armes

Friday 24 May Day Night Min. 3°C - Max. 8°C

Saturday 25 May Day Night Min. 6°C - Max. 9°C

Sunday 26 May Day Night Min. 6°C - Max. 9°C

L'Escargot   8.4 Valenciennes At the heart of Valenciennes, you will find a true Parisian brasserie. Established for over 150 years, the snail has an experience that enabled him to be selected by the Gault Millau... Located in Valenciennes 28 € per person

Le Ch'ti Charivari   7.6 Valenciennes Discover the Ch'ti Charivari, a small corner of Savoy in the heart of Valenciennes! The wooded interior, warm and welcoming, looks like a traditional chalet. The menu is a Savoyard... Located in Valenciennes 29 € per person

L'Endroit   8.1 Valenciennes Push the doors of the restaurant L'Endroit and discover the talent of the chef cuisine combining the best of the season. This property is ideal for a gastronomic break welcomes you... Located in Valenciennes 45 € per person

All restaurants around Valenciennes

La Rose Laitière     9.9 Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon We welcome you in our renovated farmhouse of the xviii century. You will be charmed by the double ensuite bedroom ' La chambre du Jardin' (4 pers.) with large windows opening on to... Located 13.9 km from Valenciennes 65 € the double room

La Ferme des Géants Batisse et Lisa     9.7 Flines-lès-Mortagne At the heart of the natural park Scarpe-Escaut, near the forest Flines Mortagne and hiking trails, 13 km from the Thermes de Saint-Amand-les-Eaux and 13 km from Tournai, Lille 41 km... Located 17.5 km from Valenciennes 55 € the double room

Vert-bocage     9 Maroilles Marie-France welcomes you in his old body ferme. Bibliothèque, billiards, foosball, microwave, fridge, wooded park (60a), kitchen, lounge area under the carport next to the garden and... Located 30 km from Valenciennes 55 € the double room

All beds & breakfasts around Valenciennes

Perle de L' Ecaillon   9.6 Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon Welcome. We offer your a romantic stay in one of our 2 ensuite guestrooms or in our romantic holiday cottage / gîte on the estate of our historical farm ' La Rose Laitiere ' from the... Located 14 km from Valenciennes From 450 € to 700 € per week

Roulotte de charme Frasnoy Real trailer charming, traditional, fully equipped, bathroom with shower, toilet, two single beds bunk beds in alcove for two people, kitchenette equipped. Located 14.6 km from Valenciennes From 350 € to 450 € per week

La Chaiserie   9.8 Romeries Cottage of 110 m² with 3 separate bedrooms upstairs including 1 mezzanine. Cuisine, lounge with wood fire with insert. Propriété of 2 acres with unfenced pond.. Calm, rest assured..... Located 17.2 km from Valenciennes 390 € per week

All vacation rentals around Valenciennes

Le mont des bruyères     8.4 Saint-Amand-les-Eaux On the edge of 5000 hectares of forest, 3 minutes from the spa, camping with bar, shop, rentals of mobile homes fully equipped, linen provided. Located 9.5 km from Valenciennes From 13.80 € to 15.80 € per day

All campsites around Valenciennes

Le Grand Hotel      8.4 Valenciennes Le Grand Hotel has 24-hour reception and is located just opposite the TGV Train Station of Valenciennes, close to the motorway and town centre. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi internet... Located in Valenciennes Room from 68 €

Hôtel Baudouin      7.9 Valenciennes The Hotel Baudouin is located a 5-minute walk from Valenciennes City Centre and Du Hainaut Stadium. It offers affordable guest rooms with free Wi-Fi connection and cable TV. All guest... Located in Valenciennes Room from 48 €

Residhome du Théâtre      8.9 Valenciennes Residhome du Théâtre offers self-catering studios with a modern décor and free Wi-Fi internet access. The residence is situated in Valenciennes, just 900 metres from the city’s train... Located in Valenciennes Room from 54 €

All hotels around Valenciennes