Mines de Beffrois

Le blog touristique du bassin minier

Author: Luc Hermes

  • Orientalism Week at the Louvre-Lens Park Festival

    📅 Du 15 au 19 juillet 2026
    📍 Parc du Louvre-Lens, Lens

    Orientalism Week at the Louvre-Lens Park Festival — Le Parc en fête du Louvre-Lens propose une Semaine des orientalismes du 15 au 19 juillet : atelier de calligraphies arabes, initiation au derbouka, danses orientales et bien d’autres animations pour découvrir les cultures orientales dans un cadre verdoyant et convivial.

    This event takes place in the heart of the Mining Basin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a great opportunity to discover or rediscover the local heritage and culture.

    For more information, visit: Official website

  • Nature Festival in Scarpe-Escaut: Walks and Activities in the Regional Park

    📅 In July 2026
    📍 Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park, various sites

    The Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park celebrates the nature festival with a program of activities for the whole family! On the program: guided walks, nature outings, biodiversity discovery workshops and activities around eco-gardens.

    The Scarpe-Escaut PNR, France’s first regional nature park, offers exceptional landscapes between the Scarpe and Escaut valleys, just steps from the mining basin. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover the natural richness of this territory.

    The eco-garden open days allow you to visit ecological gardens and leave with tips for your own garden.

    🔗 More info: [PNR Scarpe-Escaut](https://www.pnr-scarpe-escaut.fr/en-ce-moment?type=evenement)

  • GRAFF & WAR Exhibition in Flesquières: Street Art Meets the Great War

    📅 From May 23 to September 20, 2026
    📍 Flesquières, Cambrai Tank 1917, 16 rue du Calvaire (59267)

    The GRAFF & WAR exhibition at Cambrai Tank 1917 offers an unprecedented confrontation between street art and the history of the Great War. In this unique museum located on the site of a British tank discovered in 1998, contemporary graffiti dialogues with traces left by soldiers over a hundred years ago.

    An immersive and moving experience that connects past and present, in the heart of the Cambrésis, just a few kilometers from the mining basin. The Cambrai Tank 1917 museum is an exceptional place of memory.

    🔗 More info: [Destination Cambrésis](https://www.destination-cambresis.fr/evenement/expo-graff-guerre/)

  • Exhibition Tribute to Augustin Herbin “Dialogue of Alphabets” in Le Cateau-Cambrésis

    📅 From May 23 to September 20, 2026
    📍 Le Cateau-Cambrésis, Musée départemental Matisse

    The Musée départemental Matisse in Le Cateau-Cambrésis pays tribute to Augustin Herbin with the exhibition “Dialogue des alphabets”. Born in Quiévy in the Cambrésis, Herbin is one of the pioneers of geometric abstraction and a major creator of concrete art.

    The exhibition explores the dialogue between the visual alphabets created by Herbin and his painted work, revealing the spiritual and philosophical dimension of his artistic approach. A major cultural event near the mining basin.

    🔗 More info: [Destination Cambrésis](https://www.destination-cambresis.fr/evenement/exposition-hommage-a-augustin-herbin-dialogue-des-alphabets/)

  • July Thursdays at 9-9bis: Free Concerts by Ysé and Brö in Oignies

    📅 Thursdays July 16 and 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM
    📍 9-9bis, Rue Alain Bashung, Oignies (62590)

    The 9-9bis, a remarkable mining site classified by UNESCO, presents its July Thursdays with two free outdoor concerts! On July 16, discover Ysé in concert in the magnificent setting of the Métaphone. On July 23, Brö will take the stage.

    These musical evenings are the perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover the 9-9bis, a jewel of mining heritage, while enjoying quality concerts in a rehabilitated industrial setting. Admission is free and the atmosphere is always friendly.

    🔗 More info: [9-9bis](https://9-9bis.com/agenda/)

  • Biennale “The Invisible Worlds of Augustin Lesage” in Béthune-Bruay

    📅 From May 23 to November 15, 2026
    📍 Béthune-Bruay and surrounding municipalities

    The 2nd visual arts biennale of the Béthune-Bruay area pays tribute to Augustin Lesage, a miner painter from Burbure associated with the spiritualist movement. Throughout the biennale, discover exhibitions, events, workshops, performances and activities organized in the municipalities of the agglomeration.

    Augustin Lesage (1876-1954), a miner who became a visionary painter, is an emblematic figure of the mining basin. This biennale highlights his exceptional artistic legacy and the deep connection between artistic creation and the working-class world.

    🔗 More info: [Béthune-Bruay Tourisme](https://www.tourisme-bethune-bruay.fr/les-mondes-invisibles-d-augustin-lesage-a-aujourd-hui)

  • Folies Créatives: Creators’ Market in Valenciennes July 17-18

    📅 Friday July 17 and Saturday July 18, 2026
    📍 Valenciennes, city center

    Les Folies Créatives returns to Valenciennes for a semi-nightly market dedicated to local creators! Art craftsmen, jewelers, ceramists and fashion designers showcase their original creations in a festive and friendly atmosphere.

    It’s the perfect opportunity to discover the talent of artisans from the Valenciennes area and the mining basin, find unique pieces and support local creativity. The market comes alive in the evening with musical entertainment.

    🔗 More info: [Ville de Valenciennes](https://www.valenciennes.fr/agenda/les-folies-creatives-marche-semi-nocturne-des-createurs/)

  • Exhibition “Osier nos géants” in Douai: Willow Craft for the Giants

    📅 Until September 14, 2026
    📍 Douai, Museum of Fine Arts

    The exhibition “Osier nos géants” highlights the art of wickerwork and willow craftsmanship, at the heart of the creation of the North’s giants. The procession giants, classified by UNESCO, require exceptional wickerwork skills for their construction and maintenance.

    This immersive exhibition allows you to understand how basket makers create and repair these procession colossi, true emblems of the mining basin and the entire North. A must-see cultural rendezvous in Douai!

    🔗 More info: [Douaisis Tourisme](https://www.douaisis-agglo-tourisme.com/offres/exposition-osier-nos-geants-douai-fr-6642438/)

  • Gonflé l’Été Returns to Valenciennes from July 6 to 19

    📅 From July 6 to 19, 2026
    📍 Valenciennes, various locations

    Gonflé l’Été, Valenciennes’ must-attend summer event, returns for two weeks of outdoor inflatable and fun activities! Giant inflatable structures, water games and family activities take over the city’s parks and neighborhoods.

    It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy summer with the family in the Valenciennes area, between the mining basin and the Belgian border. Children love these colorful installations and parents appreciate the shaded areas.

    🔗 More info: [Ville de Valenciennes](https://www.valenciennes.fr/agenda/gonfle-lete-revient-a-valenciennes/)

  • Jean-Louis Aubert Concert and Fireworks in Valenciennes on July 14

    📅 Monday, July 14, 2026
    📍 Valenciennes, Parc de la Rhônelle

    For the national holiday, Valenciennes invites Jean-Louis Aubert for a major free concert, followed by the traditional fireworks. The former Téléphone singer will set the Valenciennes stage alight for an exceptional evening.

    July 14th is a highlight of Valenciennes life, with the popular ball the day before and this great musical evening. A festive and unifying event for the whole family in the mining basin.

    🔗 More info: [Ville de Valenciennes](https://www.valenciennes.fr/agenda/concert-de-jean-louis-aubert-et-feu-dartifice-du-14-juillet-2026/)

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