Rugby World Cup 2007 - Looking at Lens through the Pub Glass

Many England fans will be travelling to watch this match, so I thought it would be a good idea to look at what Lens has to offer in the way of  Bars, Restaurants and places to see.   Where to watch the matches and have a bit banter with fellow travellers and supporters.  The matches will be shown in several venues in the town

Lens 

(132 miles from Paris)

Lens is a working class former coal-mining town with a long history and connection to the sport of football. However it is less popular than other French cities as a tourism destination. In fact there are only a handful of hotels even though it is only a short local train ride from the city of Lille and one of the closest cities to England. It is also only an hour by train from Paris or Brussels.

Lens' culture revolves largely around its football team, Racing Club de Lens, with the team's red and yellow colours adorning every restaurant, bar (of which there are many) and shop. Its beloved football stadium - Stade Bollaert - is one of the largest and most famous venues in the country.

Where to drink - pubs and bars:

Irish Tavern
6, avenue Raoul Briquet
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 78 79 20

 
This typical pub proposes seven draught beers, Irish dishes such as Irish stew, darts, and a big screen. At weekends the already loud sound is pumped up a bit more with the presence of a DJ.

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Pub Mac Ewan's
10, avenue Raoul Briquet
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 28 44 88

 
Beer is a serious matter in this pub offering fifty varieties. Snacks (toasted sandwiches and pizzas). Pop-rock background music not too loud so friends can talk. Big screen.

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La Galerie
45, rue de la Gare
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 28 08 08
 
A pretty café recently renovated in modern colours and materials. Ideal for a coffee when getting off the TGV. Big screen, live broadcast of matches.

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Le Cubana Bar
13 rue de la Paix
62300 Lens
+33 (0)3.21.42.38.17
This recently opened bar has a good atmosphere and decor -  matches shown on giant screen.

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Some tips and notes....

Smoking

In January 2007, wide sweeping smoking restriction laws came into affect in France, thereby revolutionizing what was until then a staple and central part of French social etiquette. Until this year, you could smoke pretty much anywhere in France and visitors and non-smokers alike just had to put up with it. Today, where you can smoke has largely been regulated and public buildings are out - with the threat of a hefty 68€ fine for violations. It remains to be seen just how seriously the French, about a quarter of whom consider themselves smokers, take these new bans. In this initial period of cultural adjustment, restaurants, cafes, casinos and bars have been given until December 2007 to allow their customers to transition to the non-smoking environment.

Where to lunch/dine?

Lunchtimes are sacred among the French and some businesses shut down during the lunch break.  As a general rule though, you should try not to plan on getting much accomplished between noon and 2 pm. Instead, do as the French do and enjoy the break in the middle of the day.

Master-patigoustier Jeanson
42, place Jean Jaurès
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 28 24 21
Fax.: 03 21 67 46 36
www.les-recollets.com
patisserijeanson@aol.com

The son of a caterer, ardently supportive of the Lens area, Jean-Jacques Jeanson the patigoustier (local term for a high-class confectioner-cum-caterer) makes many gourmet specialities like the 'coeur de braise' (heart of embers) chocolate made with achillea millefolium, a plant that grows on the slag heaps. This meticulous artisan, who looks like Gyro Gearloose, also works in close cooperation with future engineers.

For the 2007 Rugby World Cut he is going to make a selection of dishes paying homage to the respective gastronomies of the different teams. At lunchtime you can sit down to the day's regional dish with a drink and a cake. At 12 €, it's worth a detour.

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L'Arcadie II
13, rue Decrombecque
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 70 32 22
http://www.restaurant-arcadie2.com/

Bang in the town centre, this eatery with a discreet contemporary decor bathed in subdued light is a favourite with foodies who appreciate its classical cuisine and regional recipes.

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Le Pain de la bouche
41 bis, rue de la Gare
62300 Lens
Tel. : 03 21 67 68 68

A renovated eatery serving classing Flanders dishes: chicken with Maroilles cheese, beer-braised cock, gratinated faluches (big slices of generously filled toasted bread). Coffee is traditionally served in a tin coffee pot left on the table like that which always awaited guests at miners' homes.

Practical information

Lens Tourist Office
26, rue de la Paix
62300  Lens
Tel. : 03 21 67 66 66
Fax.: 03 21 67 65 66
info@tourisme-lenslievin.fr
http://www.tourisme-lenslievin.fr/

Centre européen de la Paix
100, rue Pasteur
62153  Souchez
Tel. : 03 21 72 66 55
Fax.: 03 21 72 66 51
lecentreeuropeendelapaix@wanadoo.fr
http://www.tourisme-lenslievin.fr/

Discovery trip round the German cemeteries: Le circuit des Batailles d'Artois, Saturday8 September at  9.15 am. Trip centred on mining: De la Mine au Louvre-Lens, Sundays 9 and 23 September at 10 am. Discovery of Lens town centre and its facades, Lens, histoires de façades, Saturday 8 September at 11 am. In September, an audio-guided visit will be launched that you can download from the Internet (www.tourisme-lenslievin.fr or www.zevisit.com) to a mobile phone or an iPod rented from the Tourist Office.

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