Lens was initially a fortification from the Norman invasions.

In 1180, it was owned by the Count of Flanders, and sovereignty was exercised by the Crown of France. In the 13th century, Lens received a charter from Louis VIII of France, allowing it to become a city. The Flemish razed the city in 1303. Prior to this, the city's population relied on its markets.

In 1526, Lens was made part of the Spanish Netherlands under the ownership of the French monarchy, and only passed back to France on 7 November 1659 with the Treaty of the Pyrenees.

In 1849, coal was discovered in Lens after surveys were carried out at Annay, Courrières and Loos-en-Gohelle. This led to the expansion of the city into an important industrial center.

The Lens Mining Company was founded in 1852 and experienced large profits.

The city was largely destroyed in the First World War and half of the population perished.

The Gare de Lens railway station, built in 1927, is served by regional trains towards Lille, Arras, Douai, Dunkirk, Calais and Valenciennes.

In World War II, the Allies bombarded the city from the air, leaving 500 dead.

At Vimy, a small town very close to Lens, are the Vimy Memorial and Vimy Ridge. Since 2012, Lens has been the location of the Louvre-Lens.

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