I created an interactive map showing concrete action of the European Union within the Hauts-de-France new region in northern France. One of these projects caught my eye because of its great impact on the region: The Louvre-Lens Museum.
Background
Lens is located in the department of Pas de Calais within the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. This town of 33,000 inhabitants is at the centre of an area delimited by three European capital cities: Paris, Brussels and London.
When coal was found in the ground Lens entered a long period of prosperity from the XIXth century with the industrial revolution. The region was particularly affected by the First World War: In 2014 L’Anneau de la Mémoire (“Ring of Remembrance”) was unveiled to remember the victims of the war.
The coal industry began to decline from the 1960s until 1990 when the last mines were closed. Miners became unemployed.
Despite the crisis Lens was able to adapt thanks to higher education (University of Artois Scientific Centre, University Institute of Technology, engineering school) and new economic growth.
In 2012 Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin in which Lens is located has been Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The project
In 2003, the Louvre Museum in Paris is willing to open a regional museum. Lens has been selected in 2004 with the support of Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council. The foundation stone was laid in 2009 and the museum opened for the first time in 2012.
The total project cost is 175 million euros. The funding sources are:
- Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council: 105 million euros (60 %);
- The European Union: 35 million euros (20 %);
- Pas de Calais Departmental Council: 17.5 million euros (10 %);
- Lens-Liévin Urban Community and City of Lens: 17.5 million euros (10 %).
The EU grant was awarded in the framework of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and more especially the Nord-Pas de Calais Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 period.
The objectives
The Louvre-Lens Museum is an opportunity for the region to bounce back after the crisis it experienced. The museum aims to integrate into the community and to make the museum its own.
Such a museum in the region is a symbol to improve access to culture for as many people as possible. An innovative approach has been chosen to bring the most vulnerable groups closer to art and culture: Original presentation of the works of art and regular change, guided tours adapted to people with disabilities, workshops to discover art in prisons in the region, “Baby at museum” activities, etc. Since the opening and until the end of 2016 the admission is free for the permanent exhibition in the “Galerie du Temps”.
This project represents the implementation of the EU policies for territorial, social and economic cohesion and sustainable development. In the long term the museum will create jobs and foster economic development thanks to the visitors expected (more than 2 million since the opening in 2012 of which half coming from the region).
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