Tourcoing, Border commune in Lille metropolis, France
Tourcoing sits at the northern edge of France in the Nord department and forms a continuous built-up area with Lille and Roubaix. The town extends to the Belgian border and merges almost seamlessly with the neighboring cities.
Textile manufacturing in the 19th century transformed the settlement into an industrial center with numerous wool mills. In 1794 the Battle of Tourcoing took place here when French troops under Marshal Charles Pichegru defeated British and Austrian forces.
The Church of St Christopher rises 80 meters into the skyline with a collection of more than 80 bells from the 15th century. This tall tower shapes the view across the rooftops and can be seen from many streets.
The central railway station connects travelers directly to Paris, Lille and several Belgian cities such as Kortrijk, Ostend, Ghent and Antwerp. The proximity to the Belgian border allows short trips across into the neighboring country.
Many old factory buildings from the textile industry still shape the cityscape today and have been partly converted into apartments or cultural spaces. These brick structures recall the time when the town was one of the most important centers of the wool industry in Europe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
