Valenciennes

Valenciennes is a town and commune in northern France in the Nord département on the Scheldt river. While the city and region had seen a steady decline between 1975 and 1990, it has hence rebounded. As of 1999, the commune has a population of 42 343 while the entire urban area numbers 399 677. This renewed growth is particularly notable for Valenciennes, as well as some suburbs.

Economy

Valenciennes is historically renowned for its lace. Until the 1970s, the main industries were steel and textiles. Since their decline, reconversion attempts focus mainly on automobile : In 2001, Toyota built its Western European Assembly line for the Toyota Yaris. Because of this and other changes, the average unemployment in the region is now lower than the national average.

Related Topics:
1970s - Industries - Steel - Textiles - Automobile - 2001 - Toyota - Assembly line - Toyota Yaris

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On July 15, 2004 the European Union's Railway Agency held its first meeting in Phénix, with representatives of the 25 Member States and François Lamoureux, General Manager of Energy and Transportation at the European Commission. Valenciennes was picked as the European Railway Agency headquarters in December of 2003. Technical meetings will be held in Lille.

Related Topics:
2004 - European Union - 2003 - Lille

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Public transportation system

Line #1 of the tramway, currently under construction, will be put into service on June 16, 2006. 9.5 km long, this tramway will cross the five communes in the Valenciennois Metropolitain area. The price of this tramway is expected to cost 242.75 million Euros.

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