Carvin offers a variety of ways to shape your stay: church history and mining heritage sit alongside places where nature and outdoor activities take centre stage. The Church of Saint Martin, the Cité ouvrière dite cité de la Gare and the Cité Saint-Paul lead to different chapters in the town’s history. Parc Malbezin and Tour d’Horloge offer a different focus. When choosing a hotel in Carvin, you can first ask yourself whether you mainly want to explore historical themes, spend time outdoors, or combine both.

Church, Town Hall and Organ

The square tower of the Church of Saint Martin was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. The church is also the only building in the Arrondissement de Lens classified as a historic monument. This brings two different perspectives together: the architectural history of a single part of a building and the church’s special status within the area mentioned.

The Hôtel de Ville de Carvin also has striking features: its formal reception room and large stained-glass window are considered its main highlights. At Saint Martin, the Association Présence de l’Orgue complements the architectural history with cultural events. It organises concerts, organ courses and organ tours. Dates may vary. If any of these events are important to your stay, check the schedule before planning your trip around them.

Workers’ Settlements and Mining Heritage

The workers’ settlement Cité ouvrière dite cité de la Gare in Carvin dates from the fourth quarter of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century. Its name alone points to the settlement as a subject in its own right, alongside the church and town buildings. The Cité Saint-Paul offers another perspective: information panels there highlight the heritage of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin World Heritage Site. Those interested in mining history will find a concrete link to the World Heritage Site here, while the settlement by the Gare offers a different historical emphasis.

Nature, Trails and Outdoor Activities

Parc Malbezin is located on the site of a former chalk quarry used to produce lime. Its ecological features include a calcareous grassland area and protected Ophrys apifera orchids. Its former use and present-day natural features offer two distinct ways of looking at the park: it can be connected both with local landscape history and with native flora.

At Tour d’Horloge, visitors can walk, fish and run, as well as discover the diverse local flora and fauna. Tour d’Horloge can be reached via Chemin du Moulin on Rue du Vieux Château. Fishing competitions are mainly held at Étangs Wacheux. Carvin therefore offers different ways to enjoy the water and the outdoors: activities available at Tour d’Horloge and a place used especially for fishing competitions.

There is also a short hike, Tour d’Horloge–Square Rémy Callot. It is 12 km long and takes you through Carvin and its surroundings. This makes it possible to choose between activities at a specific site and a longer, clearly defined walking route. So, when planning your time, first choose your focus: a 12 km hike, nature and activities at Tour d’Horloge, or historical sites such as Saint Martin and the settlements.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Salperwick, Condette, Corbehem, Audresselles, Autingues, Tortefontaine, Willeman, Sorrus.

Return to the main travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.