The ancient city of Valenciennes lines the banks of the Scheldt River near the Belgium border in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France to the southeast of Lille and north of Reims. It first appeared on the historical record when mentioned in a document that dates back to 683 CE, but experienced a sharp decline in the mid-19th century. Thankfully, this trend has been reversed in recent years, as the city has become an industrial centre for automobile production.

Be sure to reserve a rental car for your trip to Valenciennes in order to ensure easy access to exploring the region at your own pace. In fact, adventurous travelers can even travel all the way to the coast of the English Channel and experience the amazing feat of modern engineering that is the Channel Tunnel! In addition, be sure to check out the museum in Valenciennes, which boasts a magnificent collection of 18th century French and Flemish paintings.