Travel tips, stories and inspiration
Destinations

Lens: A city reborn through art and culture
In the heart of northern France, a remarkable transformation has been taking place. A city once defined by its industrial past has been reinventing itself, emerging as a beacon of culture and innovation. This is the story of Lens, a place where the grit of coal mines has given way to the gleam of world-class art, and where a community's resilience has forged a new identity for the 21st century.
Lens - FRANCE

Lievin: A phoenix rising from industrial ashes
In the heart of northern France, a transformation can be witnessed. A town once defined by its coal mining heritage now emerges as a symbol of resilience and renewal. Welcome to Lievin, where the echoes of industrial might are being replaced by the sounds of progress and community revival.
Liévin - FRANCE

Henin-Beaumont: A glimpse into Northern France's industrial heritage
In the heart of northern France, a city with a rich industrial past and a promising future can be found. Henin-Beaumont, located in the Pas-de-Calais department, serves as a testament to the region's resilience and transformation. This modest urban center, often overlooked by tourists, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of France's industrial landscape and the challenges faced by communities in transition.
Hénin-Beaumont - FRANCE

Bruay-la-Buissière: A Hidden Gem in Northern France
In the heart of the Hauts-de-France region, a small city with a rich industrial heritage and a promising future can be discovered. Bruay-la-Buissière, often overlooked by tourists, offers a unique blend of historical significance and modern development. This unassuming locale invites visitors to explore its charming streets, delve into its mining past, and experience the warmth of its close-knit community.
Bruay-la-Buissière - FRANCE

Forbach: A border town with a rich industrial heritage
In the northeastern corner of France, where the country's border meets Germany, a town with a unique blend of cultures and a fascinating industrial past can be found. Forbach, nestled in the heart of the Moselle department, stands as a testament to the region's complex history and its ongoing transformation in the face of economic challenges.
Forbach - FRANCE

Gardanne: A Provençal gem of industry and artistry
In the heart of Provence, where rolling hills meet industrial ingenuity, a town of contrasts can be found. Here, the legacy of mining harmonizes with the vibrant hues of an artist's palette, creating a unique tapestry of past and present. This is Gardanne, a place where the earthy tones of ochre-tinted buildings stand in stark relief against a backdrop of innovative progress.
Gardanne - FRANCE

Halle: Where Salt Built an Empire
Cities built on industrial might often struggle to find their identity once the smokestacks fall silent. Yet some urban centers manage to transform their heritage into something new, something that honors what came before while charting a fresh course forward. In eastern Germany, along the banks of the Saale River, such a transformation has been unfolding for decades – quiet, determined, and deeply rooted in centuries of history.
Halle - GERMANY

Gelsenkirchen: A City Reborn Through Resilience and Reinvention
Industrial cities often carry stories of transformation written into their landscapes. The smokestacks that once symbolized economic prosperity stand alongside modern structures representing new beginnings. In the heart of the Ruhr region, a place shaped by coal, steel, and football has been rewriting its narrative for decades. What was once defined solely by heavy industry has evolved into something more complex, more nuanced, and remarkably more hopeful.
Gelsenkirchen - GERMANY