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Lens City GuideLocated in the north of France close to Lille and the Belgian border, Lens could never be described as being a tourist mecca, but there are a few attractions to perhaps merit a stopover.
Lens is a small industrial town whose past has been forged by coal mines, heavy industry and World War I. It's also football crazy with local side RC Lens one of the top clubs in France. While the locals here are amongst the friendliest you'll find in France, there is a question mark over whether they'll realise the World Cup is on!
Town: The region around Lens has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its proximity to the English Channel and the Belgian border has meant that Lens has always been in the firing line. French President Charles de Gaulle, who was born in neighbouring Lille, once called the region a "fatal avenue" through which invading armies repeatedly passed.
In the early 18th century, coal was discovered in nearby Anzin. Like other mining regions around Europe, the early 19th century was a period of great expansion and industrialization.
The region around Lens became an industrial powerhouse during this time combining its industrial might with its extensive road, rail and shipping links at Calais. Although the town escaped any serious damage in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, it was virtually destroyed in World War I, losing half its population. As a result, much of the town was rebuilt in a hotchpotch of styles. WWII had a similarly damaging effect on Lens with a bombing raid in 1944 destroyed a thousand buildings including the church of Saint Leger.
Nevertheless, the coal industry continued to boom until output began to decline in the 1960s. That, coupled with the closure of heavy manufacturing marked the beginning of severe economic troubles not only for Lens but for the entire region as a whole. In recent years, the combination of Government and EU investment have improved the locals' lot but Lens and the Pas de Calais department as a whole remains one of the poorest parts of France. The region's conflicted history is memorialised in numerous war cemeteries and memorials, such as the Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge, which is Canada's most important memorial to its fallen soldiers.
Location: Lens is a commune in northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. It is one of France's large Picarde cities along with Lille, Amiens, Roubaix, and Douai. Lens belongs to the communauté d'agglomération of Lens-Liévin (Communaupole) which total 36 communes and a total population of 250,000.
Tourist attractions: The last coal mine may have closed in 1990 but a few sets of buildings and headgear have been preserved. The Musée Vivant du Chemin de Fer sur fond d'Epopée Minière is based on the site of the old No.2 pit at Oignies. You can see the restored winding engine.
At the Center Denis Papin the industrial history of Northern France is explained. Other uses have been found for the derelict mining sites such as the Nouex les mines complex. Here you can ski down a slag heap, now a dry ski slope, and go water-skiing on the man-made lake.
Visit Notre-Dame de Lorrette, site of a 12-month long battle in the First World War. Between October 1914 and October 1915 the fighting claimed 100,000 lives. The site now has a French War Cemetery and ossuary with its lantern tower rising to 52m. This and seven other ossuaries contain the remains of 20 000 unknown soldiers.
The Musée du Souvenir with 2000 exhibits from World War I includes reconstructions of dugouts with bilingual laser animations. Outside on the battlefield there are further exhibits such as machine guns, shells, barbed wire etc.
Post-match hostelries: Lens is a relatively small town so those expecting a bit of variety will be disappointed. But supporters who make the trip can expect a great atmosphere due to the town's compact centre.
The rather imaginatively named 'Irish Tavern' and MacEwens are likely to be the centre of attention post-match. Both bars are located only 15 minutes' walk from the ground.
Irish Tavern 6 avenue Raoul Briquet. 62300 Lens
Le MacEwans 10 avenue Raoul Briquet. 62300 Lens
Accomodation:
Hôtel Restaurant Espace Bollaert. 13 C rte Béthune 62300 Lens. +33 (0)3 21 78 30 30
Campanile-Hotel Grill. rte La Bassée 62300 Lens.
+33 (0) 3 21 28 82 82
Hôtel de France. 2 pl Gén de Gaulle 62300 LENS
+33 (0) 3 21 28 18 10
Budget:
Hôtel Le Jardin. 29 pl République 62300 LENS
03 21 28 02 06
Hôtel Restaurant Le Tassili. 60 r Jardins 62300 LENS
03 21 28 10 20
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