12 Must-Sees in the Nord Department

Second only to Paris in numbers of museums, the Nord takes its culture very seriously indeed…

1. PALAIS DES BEAUX-ARTS DE LILLE

One of the largest art museums in France, this Baroque building houses works from the Middle Ages onwards by artists such as Bruyn, Donatello, van Dyck, Rubens, Manet and Picasso.

2. MAISON NATALE CHARLES DE GAULLE

France’s great mid-century leader was born on rue Princesse in Lille in 1890. The house is now a museum, with period décor and furniture, as well as de Gaulle family memorabilia.

3. LA PISCINE

Roubaix’s former municipal baths are a glorious example of Art Deco, with intricate mosaic tiles. They’re home to exhibitions of fine and applied arts, all under the name La Piscine – Musée d’art et d’industrie André Diligent.

4. MUSÉE DE FLANDRE

If you want to discover what makes the Flemish soul tick, the Musée de Flandre in Cassel will give you a vital insight into their culture. There’s a rich collection of 6,000 Flemish artworks here dating from the 15th century.

5. LAM

Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut is an art museum in Villeneuve d’Ascq which houses over 7,000 artworks by the likes of Picasso, Modigliani, Klee and Miró. Adjacent is a sculpture park.

6. MUSÉE DE LA BATAILLE DE FROMELLES

Inaugurated in 2014, this museum, designed by architect David Serero, honours the 250 or so British and Australian soldiers who were buried in a mass grave near Fromelles.

7. CENTRE HISTORIQUE MINIER

For three centuries coal played a vital role in this region of France. This museum in Lewarde, built around an old colliery, aims “to conserve and promote the Nord- Pas de Calais mining culture”.

8. MUSÉE HENRI MATISSE

Matisse himself first launched a museum in 1952 in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, where he was born. In the 1980s it relocated to the nearby Palais Fénelon. It reopens before the end of 2024 after extensive renovation.

9. MUSVERRE

Are you a glass half-full, or a glass half-empty person? Either way you’ll love this museum dedicated to all things glass. Housed in a Brutalist building in Sars-Poteries, Musverre offers exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations.

10. FORUM ANTIQUE DE BAVAY

This museum on the site of a Roman settlement called Bagacum Nerviorum displays the remains of the Roman forum and many objects unearthed there to offer a glimpse into life 2,000 years ago.

11. FRAC GRAND LARGE

Located in Dunkerque’s former shipyards, this vast museum is dedicated to contemporary art. Current exhibitions include works by Portuguese painter José Loureiro. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 2pm to 6pm.

12. MUSÉE MARITIME & PORTUAIRE

Housed in a former tobacco warehouse from the 19th century, this museum is dedicated to maritime culture. The highlights are the adjacent boats that you can board and explore.

From France Today Magazine