/ museum
of 5 June 1944
A remarkable place of remembrance in the town of Tourcoing, the Musée du 5 juin 1944 is where the German army's HQ was located during the Second World War. "Message Verlaine" is the official name of this museum, as it was here that the German army received the famous message "The long sobs of autumn violins... wound my heart with monotonous languor".
This message marked a turning point in the war, as it put the Wehrmacht on the wrong track.
Today, the Museum of 5 June 1944 is housed in this bunker, which has been renovated and is a place of remembrance of that era, with reconstructions of scenes from the period. It is also the ideal place to go and see an exhibition in Tourcoing.
/ the garden
botany
Created in 1917 on Emile Leplat's land, the Tourcoing botanical garden is now home to a wide variety of plants. A horticultural museum, a formal garden, an English garden and 1,200m2 of educational greenhouses bring this magnificent botanical garden to life, providing a veritable sanctuary for all these plants.
/ historic centre
and cultural Lille
Lille's historic centre is a must-see for any trip to Northern France. Its typical narrow streets offer a great way to discover the charms of the old town. Baroque architecture, colourful facades and a mix of stone and brick are the main features that will charm you as you stroll through old Lille.