Valenciennes, Commune and administrative center in Nord, France
Valenciennes is a commune and administrative center in the arrondissement of Valenciennes in the Nord department in northern France. The municipal area covers 113 square kilometers (44 square miles), while the center sits at an elevation of 42 meters (138 feet) above sea level.
The settlement was first documented in 693 AD and developed from a Roman establishment into a major medieval trading post. In 1678, the territory became part of France.
The Museum of Fine Arts preserves paintings and sculptures that document centuries of regional art history and show artistic exchange with Flanders. The collection reflects connections between local workshops and the great schools of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
The tramway system opened in 2006 connects several districts and neighboring communes while offering direct access to the central railway station. Visitors can explore the different neighborhoods on foot or using public transport.
After World War One, the town received the Croix de Guerre military decoration in 1918 for its resistance and liberation. This honor recalls the heavy destruction and reconstruction that residents experienced following the occupation.
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