Parc Jehan Froissart
A medieval sanctuary turned public square, and a monument to the "Herodotus of the Middle Ages"
Nestled peacefully within central Valenciennes, the Parc Jehan Froissart (often referred to locally as Square Froissart) is a historic urban oasis. Today, it serves as a serene, tree-shaded refuge favored by students, families, and readers looking to unwind on traditional park benches. However, beneath its quiet lawns and gravel pathways lies a deep layer of religious and civic history that mirrors the evolution of Valenciennes itself. You can easily map out its exact location on the Google Maps Parc Jehan Froissart Navigation Guide.
Location Evolution: From Medieval Church to Public Green
The ground where the park sits has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last several centuries:
The Lost Collegiate Church: For generations, this exact site was occupied by the grand Collégiale Saint-Géry, a powerful medieval collegiate church that anchored the religious life of the neighborhood.
Revolutionary Destruction: Following the chaos of the French Revolution, the church was seized, closed, and eventually dismantled. The last mass was celebrated on August 7, 1791, and it became the very first church in Valenciennes to be completely razed to the ground. Its historic church bells were salvaged and gifted to the parishioners of nearby Flines-lez-Mortagne.
The 1850s Renewal: For decades after the demolition, the space sat empty and unpaved. In the early 1850s, the municipal government finally stepped in to remodel the vacant lot into a public town square, designating it as the perfect home for a grand monument honoring the city's most famous literary son.
The Grand Monument to Jehan Froissart
The absolute centerpiece of the park is its monumental stone tribute to Jehan Froissart (born in Valenciennes c. 1337), the celebrated medieval poet and courtly historian whose Chroniques served as the definitive record of the first half of the Hundred Years' War.
The Sculptor: The majestic monument was designed by acclaimed Valenciennes sculptor Henri Lemaire. The first foundational stone was laid on May 14, 1851, and it was officially inaugurated on September 21, 1856, featuring speeches by legendary French figures Prosper Mérimée and Henri Wallon.
The Design: The monument features an elegant stone hemicycle (semi-circle). At its heart sits a statue of Froissart himself, who was dubbed by contemporaries as the "Herodotus of the Middle Ages."
The 10 Illustrious Medallions: Ringing the inner wall of the stone hemicycle are ten beautifully carved portrait medallions. These medallions represent some of the most influential historical figures born in Valenciennes across the centuries, including:
Philippa of Hainaut (1311–1369): The Queen of England (wife of King Edward III) who famously used her royal influence to save the lives of the Bourgeois of Calais.
Baldwin VI (1171–1206): The Count of Hainaut who led the Fourth Crusade and was crowned the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople.
Isabella of Hainaut (1170–1190): The beloved young Queen of France and wife of King Philippe Auguste.
Location & Visiting Info
The park remains an open, highly accessible slice of history perfectly integrated into the daily life of Valenciennes.
The address: Place Jehan Froissart, 59300 Valenciennes, France.
Access: The park is open 24 hours a day, completely free of charge. It sits within easy walking distance of the historic Église Saint-Géry (which inherited its name from the destroyed church that once stood on the park grounds). You can coordinates your architectural walking itinerary using the Google Maps Eglise Saint-Gery Route Planner.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight filters directly through the old tree canopy, illuminating the historic stonework of Froissart's monument.