Rouvroy is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department, in the Hauts-de-France region, 7 km south-east of Lens.
Its territory of 6.4 km² borders the mining basin, but it still includes agricultural land (44% of its area), on its "western" third and in the south. For the rest, between dwellings and old industrial units, the town is largely urbanized.
Appeared in the Middle Ages, the village remained focused on agriculture until the beginning of the 19th century, when there were only 171 dwellings.
A major change occurred from the last years of this same 19th century: workers' housing estates were built to house the miners who were assigned to the exploitation of the Drocourt pits (bordering town to the east). Later, heaps (artificial hills where the residues of mining activity are deposited) will also appear on the territory of Rouvroy.
From now on, the locality therefore presents a double face in terms of town planning: the old village remains of traditional aspect in the south, while in the north, cities formed of corons or workers' housing but also slag heaps reflect the mining heritage. These two sets were largely rebuilt after the First World War.
Nowadays, the municipality of Rouvroy has nearly 9000 inhabitants. Its singular heritage and its leisure offer justify a stopover during a stay in the region, close to major tourist sites, such as the Louvre-Lens museum.
In terms of heritage, the first sites that the visitor notices at Rouvroy are the heaps 101 and 84 which were formed following the exploitation of the Drocourt pits. Now partly revegetated, their dimensions are impressive: they each occupy an area of 45 hectares at the base, and the slag heap 84, conical in shape, is 80 m high. Note that from the top of slag heap 101, there are views over the mining complex of Billy-Montigny, Drocourt, but also towards Hénin-Beaumont…
Then head, still on the northern half of the town, towards the "Cité de la Fosse 10", the construction of which was carried out in two stages (around 1900 then around 1920) by the Compagnie de Courrières to house its miners: a first part is made up of long bars of corons, a second of suburban dwellings with white brick strips on the facade and on the gables.
In the 1920s, the "Cité de la Motte residence" was also developed, also known as "Cité Nouméa" (in reference to the penal colony established in New Caledonia and therefore to the hard work of miners). Built by the Compagnie de Vicoigne-Noeux-Drocourt, it is the largest garden city in the mining basin. Crossed by a boulevard which serves collective facilities (schools, church), it is made up of pavilions grouping together two dwellings which have a private garden at the back. The roofs vary according to the arrangement and the model of the skylights. The whole is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The schools are also remarkable: that of the girls, called Marie-Curie, and that of the boys, called Edouard Vaillant-Couturier. The first is formed by two parallel buildings between which was the playground. The building ends with a small octagonal aedicula topped with a pyramidal glass roof. The second was built in the continuity of a bar of settlements. The brick building is made up of a single body of building aligned on about fifty meters.
Another site listed on the UNESCO Inventory and Heritage List, Saint-Louis Church, also financed by the mining company, and which was completed in 1930. Its plan centered in a Greek cross and its appearance evoke the Byzantine style. Volumes and roofs create a pyramidal effect. Possessing a concrete structure but covered with bricks and facings of lime, the church is framed by corons in line.
The church was served by French and Polish priests, due to the large community of immigrant families who came from Eastern Europe to work in the mines. Built of brick in a neo-Flemish style, two French and Polish presbyteries, located at the end of bars of settlements, adjoin the place of worship.
Guided tours of the "Cité Nouméa" and nearby mining pits are offered in season: inquire on +33 3 21 67 66 66.
In the historic center of the town, to the south, to mention finally this overview of the heritage Saint-Géry church, built in the 1860s in a neo-Romanesque style.
On the cultural side, Rouvroy has a vast media library with an auditorium. Activities, readings, conferences, workshops and exhibitions are offered throughout the year, as well as small shows: inquire on +33 3 21 18 60 60.
As for the Michel Dumoulin municipal hall, events for associations, concerts or shows. Information at the town hall on +33 3 21 74 82 40.
On the sports side, there are football pitches, a bowling alley but also tennis courts to book on +33 3 21 74 82 40.
For lovers of walking, hiking or biking, in addition to the Salvador Allende park and its green setting, several paths and circuits are recommended: the old way of the horseman (railway network which connected the mining pits) 4 km long which begins at the foot of the slag heaps 101 and 84 and which led to the station of Méricourt, or the vast cycle route which crosses the whole of the mining basin and which has variants... Moreover, for walkers or cyclists, it is also possible to reach Lens in a way secure. Maps and information on +33 3 21 67 66 66.
Finally, note the possibility of joining the outings of the town's walking club: join +33 6 09 01 52 87.
Every Monday, the market showcases the region's terroir and gourmet traditions.
The first Sunday in April, multi-collection sale.
The last Sunday in April, garage sale.
End of June, ArtoiZes festival with street arts shows.
On July 14, on the occasion of the national holiday, fun activities, concert, ball and fireworks at Parc Allende.
In August, open-air cinema screenings in Parc Allende.