Sipping a drink in the heart of Old Valenciennes

Did you know that in Valenciennes, THE Place to be in spring and all summer long is Place Saint-Nicolas! Vibrant, lively and safe, it’s the place where all Valenciennois (friends, students…) gather to relax at weekends and even for afterworks.

As well as being a lively place, it’s also worth admiring the architecture of the surrounding monuments (theSt Nicolas auditorium, the Jesuit library, the Conservatoire de musique…) and the Japanese cherry trees in bloom in spring, which make the square so poetic. Lucien Brasseur’s“jeune fille à la colombe” (“young girl with a dove“), who watches over the square like a guest of honor on her throne, is not to be denied.

Take a seat on one of the terraces to relax and enjoy a convivial moment. Whether it’s Mathieu, Christophe, Gauthier, Véronique or other friends of the merry band, you’ll be in good hands as you sample the region’s finest beers & wines, accompanied by local charcuterie or cheeses. If you like, extend your aperitif with one of the delicious dishes offered by the local restaurants. Are you a meat lover? Are you a fan of Italian cuisine à la Dolce Vita?

Place St-Nicolas is sure to charm you with all its flavors and “Latin Quarter” atmosphere. In fact, a nod to French charm can be found at one of the square’s must-visit addresses: Au Petit Bérêt!

If there’s one place you can go to relax in total serenity and warm up in the off-season in a cocooning atmosphere, it’s the Royal Hainaut Spa & Resort hotel.

Much more than a hotel, this resort boasts some real nuggets on site, including the Atrium Bar Lounge, which welcomes you as you enter under a monumental glass roof.

A unique experience awaits you on site. Come as you are. Day or evening, 7 days a week, treat yourself to an exceptional interlude in this place steeped in history, known as theformer General Hospital, at any time of day.

Beneath the immense glass roof bathed in light, make yourself comfortable in the white sofas and armchairs and admire the breathtaking view over the Cour d’Honneur of the Royal Hainaut Spa & Resort Hotel. And don’t forget your excellent cocktail, ordered and carefully prepared in front of you at the bar.

Feeling hungry? The snack menu has some great surprises in store for you to enjoy on the large sofas. For those with a sweet tooth, let yourself be tempted by a pastry such as the inevitable Pavlova.

Depending on the time of day, you’ll be delighted to nibble on savoury snacks such as cheese and charcuterie boards, a homemade croque-monsieur or succumb to a Valrhona chocolate mousse or a garnished Liège waffle… TheAtrium Bar Lounge is an exceptional place to enjoy festive and musical evenings in Valenciennes.

Welcome to La Véranda, a treasure to be found on Rue de Paris opposite Square St-Géry and a stone’s throw from Place St-Nicolas.

A 300m2 former private mansion with charming, preserved moldings, La Véranda, as its name suggests, is a magical place not to be missed during your stay or shopping spree in town.

The advantage? On the one hand, its hushed, cocooning ambience, with its trendy, retro-chic decor, and on the other, its small, intimate, flower-filled garden for sunbathing and quenching your thirst (formerly a parish priest’s garden).

A veritable “place to chill”, La Véranda’s bar offers cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with strong personalities, as well as cuisine inspired by the seasons and fresh produce. Not forgetting outstanding pastries such as Crush or Basil, and even ice creams to cool you down on summer days, such as Free Hug or Italo Disco.

Open 7/7, you can also try their brunch for a gentle wake-up call on weekends, lunch with colleagues, a romantic drink, dinner with the family and even partying with friends well into the night! Festive moments await you all year round… Keep in mind that it has become one of Valenciennes’ most renowned establishments!