Anzin, French commune in Nord, Hauts-de-France
Anzin is a small town in northern France in the Nord department near Valenciennes, stretching along the Scheldt River with brick buildings and older industrial structures visible throughout. The streetscape mixes old residential houses with modern shops and green spaces, where a relaxed pace shapes daily rhythms.
Anzin grew from the early 1700s as a coal mining center that drew thousands of workers and made it a hub of heavy industry. The mines eventually closed, but the town adapted by developing new economic sectors while older buildings remain as reminders of its working-class past.
Anzin maintains its identity as a working-class town through regular festivals and markets where neighbors gather to share regional traditions and food. The community honors its past by celebrating these customs in everyday encounters at small cafes and local shops.
Anzin is easily reached by train or car and offers local shops, cafes, and friendly residents who provide warm welcomes. Walking through the streets is the best way to understand street life and experience the town's everyday rhythm.
Writer Émile Zola visited the Anzin mines in 1884 and used his observations to write the famous novel Germinal, depicting the lives of miners. This literary work made the town's working conditions known worldwide and is still read today as a powerful portrayal of working-class life.
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