Valenciennes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

It lies on the Scheldt (French: Escaut) river. Although the city and region experienced a steady population decline between 1975 and 1990, it has since rebounded.

The 1999 census recorded that the population of the commune of Valenciennes was 41,278, and that of the metropolitan area was 399,677.

The Hindenburg Line ran through Valenciennes during World War I, leading to extensive destruction.

Valenciennes was again almost completely destroyed during World War II, and has since been rebuilt in concrete.

A few surviving monuments are:

1) The façade of the town hall, which managed to survive the bombardments of the war;

2) Notre-Dame du Saint-Cordon, to which there is an annual pilgrimage;

3) La Maison Espagnole, the remains of the Spanish occupation, which ended in 1678. The building is now used as the town's tourist information office;

4) The Dodenne Tower, the remaining part of the medieval fortifications after Charles V ordered them reduced;

5) Théâtre le Phenix, a theatre and performing arts venue constructed in 1998;

6) The "Beffroi", a large, pin-like monument 45 metres (148 feet) in height, built in 2007 on the site of the former belfry.

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