Lens brings together two different cultural perspectives: the Louvre-Lens is dedicated to art collections, while an Art Deco route through the city centre conveys the history of reconstruction through its façades. The 20-hectare Parc du Louvre-Lens and a 15-kilometre route in the Parc des Berges de la Souchez complement these themes. This lets you tailor your stay to art, urban history or outdoor activities.
Art at the Louvre-Lens: a chronological tour and temporary exhibitions
The Galerie du temps displays more than 250 masterpieces from the Louvre. Loans from national collections and contemporary perspectives complement the selection. The chronological tour is free and takes place in a single, open 3,000 m² space. The works are presented in chronological order in a spacious, continuous display. The selection may change over time.
The Pavillon de verre offers a different focus: it is a space for temporary exhibitions that extend engagement with the Louvre’s collections through thematic approaches. The Galerie du temps and the Pavillon de verre thus offer different ways to explore the collections: a chronological presentation on the one hand, and changing thematic perspectives on the other.
The Parc du Louvre-Lens as a museum entrance and place to spend time
The 20-hectare Parc du Louvre-Lens was designed by landscape architect Catherine Mosbach in close collaboration with SANAA. It is a main entrance to the museum and also intended as a shared place for the local community and tourists to spend time. In addition to its design role, the park serves as an access point to the museum and a place for people to enjoy together. It adds another dimension to a stay in Lens alongside the exhibition spaces.
Place Jean-Jaurès and the Art Deco route
Place Jean-Jaurès is the historic centre of Lens, dominated by the Saint-Léger church, and is also the town hall square. Its façades feature regionalist, classical and Art Deco elements. The church is the only building to have been faithfully reconstructed. The square offers a tangible point of reference for exploring Lens’s cityscape and architectural history.
The Art Deco route runs through the city centre and can be explored with a guide, using the free Guidigo smartphone app or with a booklet. On a guided tour, the history of Lens’s reconstruction after the First World War is conveyed through its Art Deco façades. If you would like to take this tour, check its availability before travelling. Materials and tour arrangements may be updated, so also check the latest information about the self-guided formats.
A 15-kilometre route in the Parc des Berges de la Souchez
As another activity option, the route in the Parc des Berges de la Souchez runs for 15 kilometres from Lens to 9-9bis. It can be enjoyed on foot, running, Nordic walking or by bicycle. This choice of ways to get around makes the route suitable for a range of plans, without implying any particular walking or cycling time. As surface conditions may vary, take them into account when planning.
Finding your bearings when looking for accommodation in Lens
When looking for accommodation in Lens, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: art at the Louvre-Lens, architecture and reconstruction history in the city centre, or the route along the Souchez. This helps you choose Lens based on the experiences that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Richebourg, Corbehem, Nempont-Saint-Firmin, Lillers, Longvilliers, Vieil-Moutier, Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem, Campagne
View the broader travel overview: Pas-De-Calais.
