Villeneuve-D'ascq: Museums, Art and Parks

Villeneuve-D'ascq brings together a tangible reminder of the occupation with architecture, museums, art and green spaces. Its themes range from the history of northern France to archaeological and scientific interpretation, rural collections and parkland. When planning a stay, you can combine a cultural focus with time outdoors.

Remembrance and architectural heritage

The Mémorial Ascq 1944 commemorates the massacre of 86 civilians by soldiers of the 12th SS Division Hitlerjugend on the night of 1–2 April 1944. It places the event in the context of the history of the occupation of northern France, giving it a clear historical focus.

The Château de Flers is characteristic of 17th-century Flemish architecture; four of its cellar rooms have been turned into a museum. The Ferme d'en Haut offers a different way to explore local history: in 2004, it was restored as a “Maison folie” as part of “Lille 2004, European Capital of Culture.” The renovation preserved the site's rural character. The Ferme d'en Haut is also a venue for interdisciplinary artistic projects.

The LaM sculpture garden is an open-air museum featuring ten monumental sculptures. Together with the architecture of the Château de Flers and the artistic projects at the Ferme d'en Haut, it showcases different aspects of the cultural offering.

Science, everyday life and collections

The Asnapio archaeological park regularly offers guided tours, workshops and themed Sundays exploring everyday life in the past. If a particular format is important to your plans, check the dates in advance: the programme and individual activities may change.

The Forum départemental des Sciences is a centre for scientific, technical and industrial culture run by the Nord Department. Its offerings include a planetarium, science-themed investigation and discovery games, and activities for different age groups. The venue combines science interpretation with a variety of playful formats.

At the Musée du Terroir, a workshop on making waffles with cassonade is held on the first Sunday of each month. Confirm the date before your visit if you would like to plan around this event.

The Musée de Plein Air brings together a collection of almost 25 rural buildings from northern France. The Musée des Moulins focuses on two individual structures: the museum offers guided tours inside the oil mill and the grain mill. The two venues therefore have distinct focuses: a collection of rural buildings and guided mill tours. As tour times may change, check the dates before planning your visit.

Green spaces and outdoor art

Parc du Héron covers 110 hectares and offers opportunities for walking and cycling. It was designated a voluntary nature reserve in 1995 to protect its flora and fauna, and received regional nature reserve status in 2012.

The Parc urbain offers something different: family walks, jogging opportunities, shady paths and relaxation by the lakes.

You can also discover art outdoors: Villeneuve-D'ascq has 110 public artworks that can be explored on foot or by bicycle as an open-air gallery. While the LaM sculpture garden brings ten monumental works together in one place, the city's public art gallery extends across the urban landscape.

Discover more destinations: Denain, West-Cappel, Armbouts-Cappel, Taisnières-en-Thiérache, Ohain, Wattignies, Grande-Synthe, Lezennes

For the regional travel overview: Nord.