Overview
Lens is a former industrial city in northern France whose wealth was built on textiles and coal mining. The 2009 opening of Louvre-Lens brought international cultural prestige to the mining basin, making it a unique destination combining working-class heritage with world-class art.
Architecture · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Connectivity
5G available with all French carriers as of 2022. SIM cards available at carrier stores.
Culture
Lens is a former coal-mining city with a proud working-class heritage, now reinventing itself through culture and sport.
Health
Standard French healthcare available. Nearest hospital in Lens city center.
Money
France uses the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs available near the railway station and city center.
Transport
TGV connects Lens to Paris in 1h10. TER regional trains serve Arras, Lille, Valenciennes, and Dunkirk. The A21 motorway passes east of the city.