What to do this summer in France? The Hauts de France region opens its cultural doors !

Whether it's a trip to the heart of the festivities, an immersion in Parisian museums or a look back over 1000 years of art and history, the Hauts-de-France cultural season promises to be rich and varied. Reflecting both local and national culture, rediscover these regional monuments thanks to the many exhibitions open to all.

This summer, take a step back in time and explore 1,000 years of art and history from the Middle Ages. This period of a thousand legends has shaped our imagination and still hides many secrets from us today... To uncover them, the Château de Chantilly welcomes you to an extraordinary exhibition: Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, from 7 June to 5 October 2025. One of the most celebrated manuscripts of all time, Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is packed with prayers and personalized services for the duke, who was none other than the brother of King Charles V. Currently being restored, this manuscript will be on public view for only the third time since the end of the XIXᵉ. To mark the occasion, a major exhibition is on display in the Salle du Jeu de Paume. With almost 150 pieces from all over the world, this immersion will give you a better understanding of the creation of this essential work. Open from Monday to Sunday except Tuesdays, this estate, located just a few dozen kilometres from Lille, plunges you into the mystical and teeming period that was the Middle Ages by revealing these enigmas in minute detail.

Art and friendship

To mark the 400th anniversary of his death, the Museum of Flanders is paying tribute to Julien Brueghel the Elder and his close collaboration with Hendrick van Balen. Born in Antwerp in the 14th century, Brueghel's art left a lasting impression. Whether painting landscapes, fruit or flowers, J.Brueghel the Elder stood out for his unique use of colour and his love of miniatures. Available until 28 September 2025, the exhibition retraces the steps of this artist and marks a high point in his collaboration with Hendrick Van Balen. A painter unknown to the general public, his art and his friendship with Julian are not diminished by it - on the contrary. With the Bible and mythology as his predictive themes, this artist of gigantic altarpieces and intimate paintings is once again being honoured by the Musée de Flandre. Accessible to all audiences, this is not just art come to life again, but a rich and harmonious friendship.

Let's get festive !

Because summer rhymes with festivity, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lille is hosting the exhibition Fêtes et célébrations flamandes from 26 April to 1 September 2025. Retracing the representation of festivities between the XVIᵉ and XVIIᵉ, several artists are on show. Brueghel, Rubens, or Jordaens, all made these moments of rejoicing subjects in their own right in their art. Urban festivals, kermesses or even the Feast of the Kings, these moments of joviality were essential in maintaining social ties as well as a sense of belonging to a community. In partnership with the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Belgique and the Musée du Louvre in Paris, this exhibition is part of Lille3000, Lille's cultural season. Promoting local values and traditions, around a hundred works are on display, providing a better understanding of how the festival has become an integral part of our society...

Pom PomPidou

As part of the big Fiesta of the 7ᵉ edition of Lille's cultural season - Lille 3000 -, the Centre Pompidou is taking over the Tripostal with its Pom Pompidou ! exhibition. This iconic Lille venue and mirror of the Parisian monument has been hosting modern art from every angle since last April. Available until 9 November 2025, all three levels of this cultural experience laboratory have been filled. Featuring avant-garde artists on the ground floor, through those of the Dada movement on the first floor, to new science and technology on the second, set out to discover the innovation of art and creation from the XXᵉ century to the present day. With both legendary and previously unseen works, the Centre Pompidou reinvents itself. Accessible to all audiences and ages, this is a great way to soak up the art of Parisian monuments !

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