A market in front of the city hall in Orchies

Orchies is situated on the center of a triangle formed by Lille, Douai and Valenciennes. Today, it is a city with 8,500 inhabitants with a strong economic, cultural and festal dynamism through many traditional manifestations. Orchies' history is linked to the history of the Leroux Company and production of the famous chicory since 1858. The first European producer and second worldwide, Leroux is still part of the city in form of a museum. Situated in the Leroux family residence, the Maison Du Chicoree (Chicory Home) tells the story of Chicory growing ans its use as a coffee substiture in times when coffee was not affordable for big parts of the population.

Sandrine Gruda was part of the successful US Valenciennes Olympic team at the beginning of her career

Basket Club Orchiers' birth
BCO's story begins in 1923 with Mr. Derry. Because of a new ground left by Alphonse Leroux, the club changed its name into Stade Orchésien in 1931. Alphonse's son, Robert Leroux, was leading the Nomainoise Union established in 1947.

Thanks to the merger between the Orchies and the Nomain clubs, the "Union Sporive Orchies Nomain" (USON) was established in 1961.

The women's team: the club's future
Starting in 1976, Marc Silvert decides to place all his hopes in the women team and makes it win promotion in 9 divisions in 9 years, a national record. The team reaches the National 1 Championship in 1986.

USVO's birth
The team went from Orchies to Valenciennes and USON became USVO.
The firsts national titles are won: The French cup in 1991 and the French Championship in 1994. In the following years USVO becomes a superpower not only domestically, but also in the EuroLegue Women.

Come back
Orchies quits USVO in 1999 and the BCO name is brought back.
Since 2007, the men's team is becoming better and better, trying to reach the first level of professional basketball.

• Chicory Museum (4.50 € instead of 6 € if you present a EuroBasket Women 2013 ticket.)

The museum showcases the historical chicory industry, covers the past of the city Orchies, but is also a testament to the economic life and the contemporary know-how of its people in an ongoing dialogue between the past, present and future.

Address: 25 Rue Jules Roch, 59310 Orchies

Orchies might be a small place but it still has plenty to offer for its visitors

Tel: +33 (0)3 20 64 83 70
http://www.lamaisonleroux.fr

• Le carillon (free entrance)

The carillon has 48 bells inside the church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Every year a festival is given around the chime to highlight this characteristic instrument, a regional

• City hall (free entrance)

The City Hall was erected in 1610 in the Flemish Renaissance style using brick and stone. The building was rebuilt in 1926 after much suffering during World War I.

• Devil's Tower (free entrance)

The Devil's Tower was built at the same time as the city walls in the early fifteenth century, circa 1414. It served both as a watchtower and prison. Inside, you can still access the cell with its massive door.

Address: Place Général de Gaulle 59310 Orchies

• Mining History Centre of Lewarde

The biggest mining museum in France invites you to discover the history of coal-mining and the daily life of the miners in the Nord/Pas-de-Calais region, with a tour through its galleries and exhibitions.

Address: Fosse Delloye Rue d'Erchin - BP30039 59287 Lewarde
+33 (0)3 27 95 82 82
www2.chm-lewarde.com

• Louvre Museum Lens

The world famous Louvre museum in Paris has created a new form of openness, either in the form of loans or making its know-how available, but under a location far from its bases, a "Louvre outside-the-walls "where everything is invented new. Opening in December 2012

www.louvrelens.fr/en/

Capacity: 5,000

Address: rue des 3 Bonniers Marins - 59310 Orchies

Population: 8,500

Official Website: www.ville-orchies.fr

Distances from Orchies: Lille 26 km, Trelaze 525 km, Vannes 691 km, Vendee 646 km

By Train
Rennes/Lille: 3:50 (4 daily connections)
Paris Nord/Lill : 1h (26 daily connections)
Lille Flandres/Orchies: 20 mn

French railway SNCF www.sncf.com/en/passengers

By Plane
The international airport Lille-Lequin is located around 15 minutes from Orchies. A shuttle bus connects Lille airport with Lille, from there Orchies can be reached by train. Paris Charle de Gaulle (205km) and Bruxelles (115km) are alternatives in close proximity.
Lille Lesquin Airport: www.lille.aeroport.fr/
Paris Charles de Gaulle: www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-gb/passagers/home/
Bruxelles Airport: www.brusselsairport.be/en/

Restaurant open for lunch with a tavern atmosphere and a beautiful, quiet terrace. You will receive a warm welcome with tasty local cuisine.

Address:2 ter rue de l'église 59310 Orchies
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 84 75 40

Le Bistrot
A good home for a good table. Very good value for money with a prompt service and a very friendly place.

Address: 65 rue de la poterne59310 Orchies
Tel: +33 (0)3.20.71.83.06
http://lebistrot-orchies.fr/

Le Ch'tit coin
The Ch'tit Corner offers regional cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. Open for lunch Monday to Saturday evenings during the week, Saturday evening or Sunday lunch requires reservation for 10 people minimum.

Address: 26 place du Générale de Gaulle 59310 Orchies
Tel: +33 (0)3.20.64.70.84
http://lechtitcoin.voila.net/

La Chaumière
Located in the countryside, the house offers a traditional and rustic cuisine, more than 500 different wines and an impressive cheese platter.

Address: 685 rue Henri Fievet 59320 Beuvry la Forêt
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 71 86 38
www.restaurant-lachaumiere.com/

La Croix ou Pile
Discover a traditional gourmet cuisine in a charming inn with 3 terraces and veranda.

Address: rue du bon Ballon 59310 Beuvry-la-Forêt
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 71 71 87
www.lacroixoupile.fr/?langue=en

L'Eau à la bouche
Small restaurant in a nice setting offering typical pub food with varied and tasty menus for a great price.

Address: 03 avenue de la Libération 59310 Orchies
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 84 76 69

Le Pavé Gourmand
A very quiet Inn with a diversified menu, offering a variety of dishes. This is a nice restaurant to eat good traditional French cuisine.

Address: 113 rue Léon Rudent 59310 Orchies
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 71 03 93
www.lepavegourmand.fr/?langue=en

Les Tuileries
Homemade gourmet cuisine with fresh and local products of the season, located in the heart of the forest near Marchiennes, close to Orchies.

Address: 1601 rue Henri Fievet 59310 Beuvry la Forêt
Tel: +33 (0)3 20 61 01 36
www.restaurant-les-tuileries-orchies.fr/