Place d'Armes (Arms Square)
About Place d'Armes (Arms Square)
Place d'Armes is the historic central square of Valenciennes, serving as the city's main gathering place since the Middle Ages. The square is dominated by the Hôtel de Ville featuring a preserved 17th-century Renaissance Flemish façade (built 1611-1614) with sculptures by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, a famous sculptor born in this city. The original medieval belfry collapsed in 1843 and was replaced in 2007 by "L'Aiguille" (The Needle), a 45-meter stainless steel modern belfry by artist Jean-Bernard Métais. Most of the square was rebuilt in the 1950s after WWII bombings destroyed the original buildings. Wednesday and Saturday mornings feature local markets, and numerous cafés with terraces line the square for relaxation.
Interesting Facts
The modern belfry "L'Aiguille" (The Needle) features "Litanie" - approximately 2,000 words collected from over 2,000 Valenciennes residents inscribed on the stainless steel column. The words were gathered from schools, hospitals, prisons, and street encounters, creating a collective portrait of the city in steel.
The original medieval belfry dramatically collapsed on April 7, 1843 during restoration work. The eight bells were buried in the rubble, including the "Anne" bell which was completely cracked. The collapse occurred without warning, and miraculously caused no casualties despite being in the heart of the city.
Valenciennes is known as the city with the most statues per square meter in France. Two famous artists connected to the city - painter Antoine Watteau (1684-1766) and sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) - were both born here, and their works adorn various locations around the square and city.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Place d'Armes, 59300 Valenciennes, France