Douchy-Les-Mines: Culture, Art and Nature

Douchy-Les-Mines brings together a 13-hectare park, contemporary art, a cultural programme and distinctive church architecture. You can tailor your stay to different interests: Parc Maingoval is a place for leisure and nature, while CRP/ and L’Imaginaire offer different cultural highlights.

Art and culture in a variety of formats

CRP/ Centre régional de la photographie Hauts-de-France is a contemporary art centre in the heart of the mining region. In Douchy-Les-Mines, it offers educational and cultural activities in a variety of formats, including visits, workshops, conferences, film screenings and performances. If you are interested in contemporary art, these different formats can shape your stay; the programme ranges from educational activities to events.

L’Imaginaire offers a different focus, with a varied programme of cultural events throughout the year. These include theatre, dance, street art, urban culture, concerts, circus and stand-up comedy. It also offers visits, workshops, awareness-raising activities, conferences and artist talks. Its spaces are also available for a range of artistic residencies. The programme therefore encompasses both event genres and educational activities and artistic residencies; specific programme details change with the seasons.

L’Imaginaire also has an art-house cinema with a 204-seat auditorium, including five seats for people with reduced mobility. The cinema complements the performance and discussion formats with film, adding another focus within the same cultural venue.

Church architecture and history

Saint-Paul parish church was built in 1971–1972 to designs by architects Gaston Leclercq and Maurice Salembier. It is made of brick and has a flat roof. One distinctive exception is the sloping section of roof above the sanctuary, which directs light from above onto the altar. “From above” means that the light enters from overhead; here, the distinctive roof shape is therefore linked to the way the altar is lit.

The church of Saint-Pierre houses a 13th-century reliquary cross with a double crossbar, classified as a protected cultural object. It offers a different historical focus from Saint-Paul: the cross dates from the Middle Ages, while the parish church was built in the early 1970s. A 13th-century cultural object and a 20th-century church building thus stand side by side.

Parc Maingoval and the Douchynoiseries

Parc Maingoval covers 13 hectares. It was completely redesigned and redeveloped in 2003 and 2023 to create a place for leisure and nature that is accessible to everyone. Its facilities include footpaths and a fishing pond. The paths offer a way to enjoy walking, while the pond is suited to fishing: the park brings together different leisure interests.

During the Douchynoiseries, Parc Maingoval also becomes a festival venue, where visitors can walk between the various offerings. The free arts programme includes concerts, cinema, theatre, circus and dance. The Douchynoiseries take place every year, but dates and programmes vary. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the details of the specific edition before booking.

Discover more destinations: Coudekerque-Branche, Bierne, Hazebrouck, Aulnoye-Aymeries, Merville, Raismes, Renescure, Leffrinckoucke.

For the main travel overview: Nord.