Just shy of the Belgian border in the Nord division, Valenciennes is a city of cultural and creative interest, nicknamed it, Athens Athens of the North.
For hundreds of years, this relatively small place created painters, sculptors, and architects that helped shape French culture forever. You can sample works by characters like Carpeaux and Watteau at the Valenciennes fine art museum, and see priceless first French manuscripts by appointment at Bibliothèque orthale. Valenciennes stood in the path of two World Wars, but restored its monuments and has just revamped its center with a trendy shopping mall. Discover the best things to do in Valenciennes.
1. Musée des Beaux-Arts
In a city that has long been proud of its culture, the Valenciennes Museum of Fine Arts is a treat. It opened in 1801, showcasing the works of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture, and today there are many works by French, Flemish and Dutch masters.
One person everyone will know is Peter Paul Rubens, and he comes with a range of familiar names like Bosch, van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, Sébastien Bourdon and Camille Pissarro. Valenciennes' biggest contribution to the art world is Antoine Watteau, born here in 1684 and one of the first Rococo style painters.
His work, La Vraie Gaieté is on show at the museum.
Source : Top travel
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