Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Valenciennes, France

Just shy of the Belgian border in the Nord department, Valenciennes is a city recognized for its cultural and creative significance, earning it the nickname, “Athens of the North.” For centuries, this relatively small city has produced painters, sculptors, and architects who have greatly contributed to French culture.

Visitors can appreciate the works of renowned figures such as Carpeaux and Watteau at Valenciennes’ fine arts museum, and explore invaluable early French manuscripts by appointment at the Bibliothèque Municipale. Valenciennes endured the ravages of two World Wars but has restored its monuments and recently rejuvenated its center with a modern shopping mall.

Let’s explore the best activities to engage in while in Valenciennes:

1. Musée des Beaux-Arts

In a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage, Valenciennes’ fine arts museum is a must-visit. Established in 1801, it showcases works from the Academy of Painting and Sculpture and houses an impressive collection of pieces by French, Flemish, and Dutch masters.

Among the highlighted artists is Peter Paul Rubens, accompanied by other illustrious names like Bosch, van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, Sébastien Bourdon, and Camille Pissarro.

Valenciennes is also recognized for Antoine Watteau, born here in 1684 and a pioneer of the Rococo style. His notable work, La Vraie Gaieté, is on display at the museum.

2. Fosse Dutemple

Situated above rich coal seams, Valenciennes, like much of the eastern Nord region, began coal extraction in the 18th century. This industry declined by the 20th century, and only remnants remain today.

For those interested in this historical aspect of the town, numerous sites hint at this segment of Valenciennes’ past spanning two centuries. The premier site is Fosse Dutemple, a UNESCO heritage site known for its impressive reinforced concrete headframe, established above the shaft post-World War I.

3. Watteau Monument

Located near the Church of Saint-Géry on the Rue de Paris, this elegant garden features a fountain adorned with a dignified statue of Antoine Watteau. The statue captures him holding a paintbrush and palette, set upon a decorative plinth embellished with muses and scrolls.

This 19th-century statue was sculpted by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, another prominent Valenciennes artist. Carpeaux gained recognition in the 1850s for various commissions from Napoleon III, and the birthplace of Watteau is only a short walk away at 39 Rue de Paris.

4. Place d’Armes

At the heart of Valenciennes, Place d’Armes serves as a significant political and commercial hub of the city. The striking town hall immediately captures your eye.

This ornate facade was created in 1867 by Henri Lemaire, another prominent Valenciennes artist known for his contribution to the facade of the Gare du Nord in Paris.

Towering at the north end is Litanie, a 45-meter metallic needle marking the previous location of Valenciennes’ belfry, which collapsed in 1840. Up close, visitors can spot multiple sentences etched into the metal, written by the local citizens, accompanied by recorded voices from speakers.

5. Église Saint-Géry

The city’s oldest church, built in the early 12th century for the Franciscan order, is designated as a French Historical Monument. Modifications occurred during the 1800s, notably the addition of a bell tower.

However, the interior of the nave remains largely as it was in its original form, showcasing 12 columns made from “pierre bleue” limestone, crowned with capitals representing each apostle. The church endured substantial damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored in subsequent decades.

6. Maison Espagnole

From the 16th to the 17th centuries, Valenciennes was governed by the Spanish Netherlands, a period during which the striking timber-framed Maison Espagnole was constructed.

With its elegant corbels and leaded windows, the building originally located at the intersection of Rue de Mons and Rue des Capucins was meticulously disassembled and reconstructed on Rue Askièvre in 1964, following the redirection of the city’s streets.

The interior is accessible for visitors, as it now houses the Valenciennes tourist office.

7. Basilique Saint-Cordon

This church has been undergoing restoration for several years; however, it remains worthwhile to admire its exterior. Erected in the 1850s by Alexandre Grigny, who worked on numerous buildings throughout the Nord region and the Notre-Dame Basilica in Geneva, it is a remarkable example of Neo-Gothic architecture.

The structure features a towering spire and stonework inspired by the renowned medieval cathedrals of Northern France, such as those in Chartres and Amiens.

8. Centre Place d’Armes

Recently, Valenciennes has undertaken numerous initiatives to enhance its city center, mirroring similar revitalization efforts seen in other French cities over the past decade. A significant project was the creation of Centre Place d’Armes, a stylish shopping center featuring well-known international retailers like H&M, Zara, Sephora, and fnac.

Located at the city’s main square, it provides a perfect refuge on rainy days, offering ample opportunities for leisurely shopping experiences.

9. Bibliothèque Municipale

Valenciennes’ Bibliothèque Municipale is no ordinary library; it is situated in the historic Collège de la Compagnie de Jésus, established in the 16th century. The grandeur of Baroque architecture from the 17th century is captivating, but the interior holds even greater excitement.

Upon inquiry, visitors can view the Jesuits’ library, preserved in its original state since its establishment in the 1700s. Among the 350,000 manuscripts and volumes is a unique treasure: the Sequence of Saint Eulalia, a seminal work from 880 that is the earliest hagiography written in the French language.

10. La Maison Du Prévôt

Another rare remnant of Valenciennes’ past is the Provost’s House, registered as a French Historic Monument. This charming brick mansion, featuring limestone quoins and mullioned windows with an elegant turret, dates back to 1485 and was constructed for the Abbot of Hasnon, who held the title of Provost for the Notre-Dame church.

The Notre-Dame church was located across the street but was destroyed during the Revolution, leaving the House of the Provost as an enigmatic echo of Valenciennes’ medieval history.

11. Saint-Amand-les-Eaux

Just a 15-minute journey leads you to the beautiful old spa town nestled in the forest of Scarpe-Escaut Regional Park. The town is characterized by its monumental abbatial tower, which remains the sole remnant of a former monastery.

Experience the grandeur of this 82-meter monument, which was constructed in the 1630s and adorned with intricate decorations. Additionally, a museum featuring over 300 pieces of fine earthenware from the town’s esteemed 18th-century faience factories awaits visitors.

12. Scarpe-Escaut Regional Park

Encompassing Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, this park represents the oldest of France’s 48 Regional Parks, but its significance extends further: it seamlessly connects with the expansive Plaines de l’Escaut Nature Park along the Belgian border, forming a pristine landscape ripe for exploration.

This area features a rich habitat of orchards, willow-lined streams, dense old woods, and wetlands. Scattered throughout are reminders of historic mines that have gradually merged back into nature, many of which, including Fosse Dutemple, have received UNESCO World Heritage designation.

13. Cambrai

Located just half an hour from Valenciennes along the A2 autoroute, the city of Cambrai is well worth a visit. Even if the name does not resonate with you, it is historically significant, known as the site of a pivotal First World War battle in 1917, marking the first use of tanks in warfare.

Modern Cambrai boasts a sophisticated ambiance, featuring a magnificent Baroque cathedral, a UNESCO-listed belfry, and a high-quality fine arts museum. This museum, situated within an elegant 18th-century residence, is particularly renowned for its sculpture collection, including two pieces by Rodin and another by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.

14. Matisse Museum – Le Cateau-Cambrésis

Located about the same distance to the south, the town where Henri Matisse was born is accessible via picturesque country roads across open farmland. Matisse himself established the museum here in 1952, shortly before his passing.

Art enthusiasts should consider this journey essential, as the museum hosts the third-largest collection of Matisse’s work in France, featuring 170 pieces that span his career from the early 20th century to the 1950s.

Additionally, the renowned cubist Auguste Herbin is well-represented, having donated 65 of his paintings in 1956.

15. Local Delicacies

When dining in Valenciennes, it is recommended to be adventurous and sample the city’s most cherished culinary offerings: Lucullus, which is smoked ox tongue simmered in broth and topped with foie gras, typically served as an appetizer on toasted bread. For those with a preference for lighter flavors, goyère au maroilles, a light and fluffy soufflé adorned with local maroilles cheese, is also a must-try.

Given its proximity to Belgium, the region is known for its beer production. The Brasserie des Sources in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux utilizes the town’s spring water to create a range of brews, including Germinal lager and lambic Abbiatale de Saint-Amand.