The region is also richly endowed culturally, with museums showcasing the heritage and history of Nord - Pas de Calais. Here's a selection of places not to be missed around Saméon.
Musée des Dentelles et Broderies de Caudry: discover the lacemaking and textile arts heritage of the Caudresis region at this atypical museum, which is both a society museum and a fashion museum open to contemporary creation.
Musée Matisse in Cateau-Cambrésis: this museum was created in 1952 by Matisse himself in the town where he was born. Dozens of the artist's works are on display, in addition to temporary exhibitions.
Ancienne fosse d'Arenberg in Wallers: the former mine, open to private guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 11am, features an exhibition room on the life of the miners, the galleries of the Germinal film set, and a panoramic view from headframe no. 3/4.
Abbaye de Vaucelles: Open for temporary exhibitions. Information: abbayedevaucelles.com This Cistercian abbey, classified as a Historic Monument, is located in the Haut-Escaut valley in the commune of Les Rues des Vignes.
Le LaM in Villeneuve d'Ascq: Located in the Lille metropolis, the LaMLille Métropole, musée d'art moderne, d'art contemporain et d'art brut) is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm (except January 1, May and December 25). Over 4,500 works by major 20th and 21st century artists (Dodeigne, Picasso, Modigliani...) are on display, including a remarkable sculpture park unique in France.
Musée La Piscine de Roubaix: The Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent in Roubaix offers an exceptional setting for a collection of decorative arts, sculptures and paintings by collectors and artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, in the former municipal Art Deco swimming pool dating from the 1930s. A must-see!
