Summary
Situated in the northern region of France, Béthune is a refined town that has navigated the challenges of the 20th century with grace.
Regardless of whether you are making a casual visit or are attending the Christmas market, music festival, or spring fair, the central Grand’Place will certainly be your initial destination.
This picturesque square is framed by charming old houses in a blend of architectural styles surrounding a medieval belfry, which is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While the coal mines ceased operations by the 1990s, remnants persist at more than a hundred locations within the area.
If historical heavy industry intrigues you, there are numerous old mines in the vicinity worth exploring.
Let us discover the top attractions in Béthune:
1. Grand’Place
This splendid central square serves as the hub of activity in Béthune.
The Christmas market is hosted here, along with various town celebrations during spring and summer.
Notably, you will find the magnificent town hall, the medieval belfry, and rows of delightful Baroque-style houses.
Many of these structures are strikingly narrow, with each showcasing its individual character; gables are presented in diverse styles and materials.
Some residences feature sculpted stone façades, while others are crafted from bricks, and many display a combination of both materials.
Surprisingly, most of what you observe was destroyed in May 1918. The square was subsequently reconstructed in a Neo-Regionalist style between 1923 and 1927.
2. Beffroi
Béthune’s belfry, located at the center of Grand’Place, is one of 23 belfries in the region classified as a World Heritage site.
At first glance, it is evident that this monument possesses an ancient history: The original wooden belfry was erected in 1346 but was replaced by this sandstone tower 40 years later.
This structure miraculously survived the destruction of 1918, requiring merely restoration of its clock, charred stones, and campanile.
Béthune’s tourist office organizes regular guided tours allowing visitors to explore the interior, ascend to the top for a panoramic view of Grand’Place, and appreciate the 35-bell carillon.
3. Hôtel de Ville
The town hall exemplifies the harmonious amalgamation of historical and 20th-century architecture.
Similar to much of the square, it was reduced to ruins during World War I, and the replacement constructed in the late 1920s is both delicate and formidable.
The Town Hall boasts the highest gable among the buildings surrounding the square, sculpted from stone adorned with ornamental reliefs that integrate Art Deco and Regionalism styles.
Take a moment to appreciate the intricate ironwork on the doors and balcony, and should the opportunity arise to enter, you will be greeted by stunning Art Deco stained glass windows.
4. Église Saint-Vaast de Béthune
The juxtaposition of the old and new is evident at the town’s church, whose imposing brick bell-tower towers over the houses surrounding Grand’Place.
This tower rises 67 meters in a Gothic Revival style, while at its base, the church adopts an eastern, Byzantine character.
Constructed from the ground up in the mid-1920s, the church replaced a Renaissance structure commissioned by Charles V. Remarkably, sandstone from the previous church was repurposed after World War I to assist in the restoration of the belfry and houses on the square.
Should you seek a reason to enter, the spectacular stained glass, crafted by master glassmaker Charles Champigneulle, narrates the history of Béthune and the tale of Saint Vaast.
5. Lab Labanque
The former branch of the Bank of France stands as a majestic building on Place Georges Clémenceau.
Having ceased operations some years ago, this grand mansion has been transformed into a contemporary arts venue.
It serves as a multidisciplinary space featuring studios and galleries that host exhibitions in photography, illustration, graphic design, painting, video art, sculpture, and applied arts.
The galleries are open during the afternoon, so if you are seeking a taste of local culture, you are welcome to visit or inquire about current exhibitions at Béthune’s tourist office.
6. Théâtre de Béthune
The history of Béthune’s theatre is reflective of the town’s journey.
The initial structure was completed in 1912 but did not withstand World War I.
It was reconstructed in the 1920s, only to be destroyed again during World War II.
Now, the present theatre has been operational since 1961 and accommodates nearly 1,000 attendees.
This fine Neo-Baroque building aligns with Béthune’s architectural style.
For those interested in an evening out, performances include live music (both classical and contemporary), dance, comedy, and a selection of serious plays as well as light-hearted “Boulevard theatre” (encompassing farces and adult comedies).
7. Musée de la Mine de Noeux-les-Mines
Béthune is positioned at the periphery of an extensive coalfield that spans a significant portion of the eastern side of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
While there are no coalmines located within the town limits, several collieries are situated just a few kilometers away, and several mining companies maintained their headquarters in Béthune.
An intriguing aspect of this heritage can be found at a former apprenticeship center.
Young individuals as young as 14 would take their initial steps underground, acquiring knowledge in the mining trade within these tunnels.
Approximately 200 meters of galleries have been preserved, and there is an exhibition area showcasing tools, models, and minerals, along with a 20-minute video depicting the site and the mining industry in the Nord region.
8. More Mining Heritage
The UNESCO-listed Nord-Pas de Calais mining basin comprises over 100 individual sites.
For those captivated by industrial heritage, Béthune is a treasure trove with headframes, substantial slag heaps, additional mines, company headquarters, entire communities, and preserved homes, all conveniently accessible.
Options range from the expansive mine at Lewarde, which is now reopened as the defining Centre Historique Minier, to more intimate yet equally poignant sites such as the modest Maison du Minier next door in Annezin.
This site features an early 20th-century miner’s cottage that appears frozen in time.
Furthermore, additional mining museums are located nearby in Auchel, Bruay-la-Buissiére, and Marles-les-Mines.
9. Musée Régional d’Ethnologie de Béthune
Should you find yourself with some spare time in Béthune, visiting the town’s ethnology museum could be rewarding.
This museum occupies the red-bricked Chapelle de Saint-Pry.
It provides a comprehensive overview of regional identity, traditional trades, and everyday life in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais over the last few centuries.
After years of donations, the museum now boasts a collection of 30,000 items, primarily dating from the 1700s to present.
Additionally, local artifacts, uncovered during excavations, date back to the Greco-Roman, Merovingian, and Medieval periods.
10. Parc d’Olhain
Families visiting during the summer can take their children to this 450-hectare activity park for hours of entertainment.
Entry to the park is free, with fees applicable for various activities such as mini-golf, a luge ride, swimming, and an exhilarating adventure course suspended among the trees.
If you enjoy sports, you can rent tennis courts or play a round of golf at the nine-hole course.
Additionally, the park offers hiking and cycling paths, with bicycles, segways, and other equipment available for rental.
11. Louvre Lens
The city of Lens is located less than 20 kilometers from Béthune and is well worth a visit due to its modern attractions.
Having transitioned from its former identity as a mining hub, Lens has reinvented itself following the industry’s decline in the 20th century.
In 2012, the Louvre inaugurated its first-ever satellite museum on the grounds of an old mine.
Louvre Lens is housed in a striking glass building, featuring temporary exhibitions drawn from the Louvre in Paris.
Recent years have witnessed exhibitions showcasing works from artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Rubens.
A permanent gallery also chronicles thousands of years of artistic achievements, from Babylonian sculptures to 19th-century French artwork.
12. Lens 14-18 – Great War Museum
This remarkable war museum, opened in 2015, details the First World War’s impact on the Artois and French Flanders regions.
It serves as an excellent complement to the numerous war memorials and cemeteries located in the area.
Handling a significant historical subject, the museum employs contemporary methods with innovative exhibit designs.
Visitors can explore 3D maps, archival footage, photography, and artifacts such as weapons, personal items, and remnants of civilian structures.
The architecture is noteworthy, with galleries situated within austere black concrete cubes reminiscent of “chapels.” Admission is free, and audioguides are available in English, French, Dutch, and German.
13. Arras
For those captivated by Béthune’s Grand’Place, the central square of Arras merits recognition as well.
However, while Béthune’s Grand’Place is delightfully eclectic in style, Arras exhibits a more uniform aesthetic.
At the Grand-Place d’Arras, there are 155 structures in a 17th-century Flemish Baroque style, characterized by their elegant, sweeping gables.
These buildings feature a continuous arcade on the ground level, offering bars and restaurants that enhance the lively atmosphere.
Moreover, the smaller Place des Héros is equally picturesque, featuring a Gothic town hall and belfry, along with the opportunity to explore Les Boves, medieval chalk caves that provided refuge during World War I.
14. Aire-sur-la-Lys
Situated in the opposite direction to the northwest, Aire-sur-la-Lys is an enchanting town, featuring its own belfry alongside an array of charming Flemish architecture.
Notable is Le Baillage, constructed at the close of the 16th century, which faces the Grande Place.
This structure is a fusion of brick and stone, distinguished by intricate carvings and a ground-floor arcade.
The belfry, designed in the Baroque style, is among the 23 listed by UNESCO and was reconstructed in the 1920s.
Take time to visit the exquisite Church of Saint-Pierre, boasting a Flamboyant Gothic design that resembles a miniature cathedral.
15. Regional Cuisine
One unique delicacy specific to this region is Fort de Béthune; a savory paste made with potent maroilles cheese, seasoned and blended with brandy and spices such as cumin.
This dish was once a favorite among miners who would spread it on bread in the morning, complemented by robust black coffee. In Arras, you can sample the andouillette, a coarse tripe sausage typically served with French fries and mustard sauce.
Another regional specialty to try is flamiche au maroilles, a tart consisting of bread dough, crème fraîche, and potent mayo cheese.
Additionally, popular Flemish dishes include carbonade flamande (beef and beer stew) and moules-frites (mussels served with French fries).
