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What to do in Villeneuve d'Ascq? Our ideas for a different way of visiting the city

Enter the Parenthèse Verte: a Villeneuve d’Ascq where lakes meet museums, where nature trails intertwine with art, and where every landscape invites you to slow down.

An invitation to explore a soothing, lively and generous territory.

Visit Villeneuve d'Ascq a city where you can breathe, explore and observe

To visit Villeneuve d’Ascq is to enter a garden city where lakes, parks and valleys stretch between exceptional museums, historic farms and modern districts.

Here, water, nature trails,large meadows and works of art are in constant dialogue. Cultural sites, natural areas, cycling routes, gourmet discoveries and a discreet heritage make up this Parenthèse Verte, ideal for breathing, observing and exploring.

If you’re wondering what to do in Villeneuve d’Ascq, let us be your guide: lakes, museums, forests, leisure centres, walks, family activities and welcoming addresses all combine to create a soothing and inspiring destination at the heart of the Lille European Metropolis.

The must-haves to visit Villeneuve d'Ascq

The Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Outsider Art (LaM)

One of Europe’s largest museums dedicated to modern, contemporary and outsider art, nestled in a sculpture park. A must-see in the city.

Nestled in a sculpture park, LaM is one of the city’s most remarkable museums.
It houses three major collections: modern art, contemporary art and art brut, with works by Picasso, Modigliani, Miró, Dubuffet and Chaissac, as well as major temporary exhibitions.
Its natural setting, with its meadows and monumental works of art, offers a visit in which art dialogues with the landscape.

The Lacs du Héron and Parc du Héron

An immense natural area with observatories, paths, ponds, reed beds, footbridges… a paradise for families, cyclists and bird lovers.

The Science Forum & Planetarium

Located in the heart of Villeneuve d’Ascq, the Forum des Sciences is a place of scientific discovery accessible to all.
Interactive exhibitions, experiments, workshops and events give visitors the chance to explore the world in a different way.

The Planetarium, with its immersive sessions projected onto a dome, invites young and old alike to travel among the stars, planets and astronomical phenomena.

Flers Castle

Built in the 17th century, this typical Flemish-style château now hosts exhibitions, concerts, events and cultural gatherings.
Surrounded by pleasant parkland and its water mirror, it is a charming heritage stop-off, combining history, nature and culture.

Other museums in Villeneuve d'Ascq : memory, know-how and living cultures

Ascq 1940 – Memories of a village

This museum traces the history of Ascq through the XXᵉ century, with a particular focus on the tragedy of 1 April 1944, the date of the massacre perpetrated by an SS division.
Documents, eyewitness accounts, objects and immersive installations help visitors to understand the development of the village, everyday life and the issues surrounding the memory of an area deeply marked by its past.

La Ferme du Héron (museum and educational area)

A former farm and an interpretation centre for local biodiversity, the Ferme du Héron is an ideal starting point for understanding the landscapes, species and natural dynamics of the Parenthèse Verte.
Exhibitions, educational events and the Parc du Héron make it a great place for families.

The Musée du Terroir

The Musée du Terroir immerses visitors in the rural life and traditions of the Mélantois.
Everyday objects, farming tools, reconstructed interiors and themed exhibitions tell the story of the skills, know-how and lifestyles of yesteryear. An authentic visit to help you understand the area’s rural history.

The Mill Museum

Set around restored mills, this museum highlights the importance of water, wind and human ingenuity in local history. Visitors can discover how the mills worked, their economic role and their place in the Villeneuve-d’Ascq landscape, as they follow an educational and bucolic trail.

Asnapio – Archaeological park

Asnapio is an open-air archaeological park that is unique in the region.
Through reconstructed habitats, workshops and events, it takes visitors on a journey from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Mediators share ancient gestures, craft techniques and the daily lives of past populations, in a natural setting conducive to immersion.

The Musée de Plein Air

The Musée de Plein Air is a genuine reconstructed village, made up of traditional houses from all over the region. Here you can discover the rural architecture, old trades, gardens and landscapes of the North, as the seasons change. Activities, traditional festivals and workshops make for a lively and friendly visit, ideal for families.

Where to sleep in Villeneuve d'Ascq?

Hotels close to lakes, self-catering cottages and furnished tourist accommodation, family accommodation or bed and breakfast in the heart of nature: Villeneuve d’Ascq offers a wide range of solutions to extend the Parenthèse Verte experience.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend in the countryside, a cultural getaway or a family holiday, there’s a welcoming place for everyone to relax, unwind and enjoy a soothing setting in the heart of the city.

Hotels in Villeneuve d’Ascq

Comfortable hotels, often located close to lakes and major roads, ideal for a practical and relaxing stay in Villeneuve d’Ascq.

Guest rooms – gîtes and furnished accommodation

Cosy guest rooms, often nestling in lush green surroundings, for a personalised welcome and a gentle immersion in the area.

Peaceful gîtes and furnished apartments perfect for experiencing the Parenthèse Verte independently, as a couple, with family or friends.

Works of art in the city

Villeneuve d’Ascq is a town where art blends with urban space and nature, revealing a living contemporary heritage in neighbourhoods and public places. More than a hundred works of art are scattered around the town, some of which have become emblematic landmarks in the local landscape and must-sees for lovers of art and cultural walks.

The 110 public works of art are testimony to the town’s commitment to making art accessible to all. Large sculptures, modern installations and abstract works punctuate the streets, squares and parks, creating an open-air art gallery to be discovered on foot or by bike.

The main performance venues in Villeneuve-d'Ascq

La Rose des Vents – Lille Métropole National Stage

An emblematic venue in the town, La Rose des Vents is a national stage offering a rich programme of theatre, dance, music and a variety of shows every season, as well as artistic collaborations and festivals. La Rose des Vents is an essential cultural reference in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.

La Grange de la Ferme Dupire (Théâtre d’à Côté)

In the heart of the Triolo district, this barn has been transformed into an intimate venue offering theatre, music and performing arts in a friendly, accessible atmosphere.

Théâtre des Passerelles

A small theatre with an educational and artistic vocation, offering theatrical performances in a more intimate format, often linked to educational and community projects.

Here are all the cultural facilities and sites in Villeneuve

Parks & nature activities

La Parenthèse Verte

Parks, woods, gardens, lakes, valleys, footpaths and areas of biodiversity form one of the largest green lungs in the city.

Cycling and walking routes

Greenways, towpaths, GR trails, family circuits and sporting routes.

Stade Pierre-Mauroy : sport, major events and architecture

The Stade Pierre-Mauroy is much more than a sports stadium: it is an emblematic venue for the Lille metropolitan area, combining modernity, versatility and experiences for the general public. Designed as a truly multifunctional facility, it hosts LOSC football matches , concerts, shows and national and international events.
Its innovative architecture, with its retractable roof and modular spaces, makes it an essential venue for fans of sport, music and major cultural events.

Just a few minutes from the lakes and sports park in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, it enhances the local tourist offer by offering great experiences all year round.

The team at theMetropolitan Tourist Office welcomes you with a smile to its 5 branches in Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, Villeneuve-d’Ascq and Armentières! Come and explore the richness and diversity of the Lille metropolitan area, and let us guide you as you discover its hidden treasures. We look forward to seeing you and sharing all the facets of our beautiful region!

What to do around Villeneuve d'Ascq? Exploring the extended Parenthèse Verte

Around Villeneuve d’Ascq, there are many towns and villages to discover:

  • Bouvines, Sainghin-en-Mélantois, Péronne-en-Mélantois: agricultural landscapes, chapels, gentle hiking trails.
  • Chéreng, Anstaing, Gruson, Forest-sur-Marque, Willems: typical Mélantois villages, perfect for cycling between fields, woods and farms.
  • Hem & Tressin: parks, gardens and cultural attractions.
  • Leers, Sailly-lez-Lannoy, Baisieux: nature trails, walking areas, hidden heritage.
  • Seclin, Noyelles-lès-Seclin, Wattignies, Templemars: medieval history, fortifications, nature reserves.
  • Houplin-Ancoisne, Emmerin, Allennes-lez-Marais, Carnin, Provin, Bauvin: close to the Parc de la Deûle, walks, marshes and wildlife.
  • Lesquin, Faches-Thumesnil, Ronchin: family activities, urban parks, local culture.
  • Lezennes: the Grotte de Lezennes, a unique geological site.
  • Loos & Haubourdin: industrial heritage, parks, paths along the Deûle.

A varied area, ideal for building nature and culture itineraries just a few minutes from Villeneuve d’Ascq.