Coordinates: 50°37′24″N 3°08′42″E / 50.6233°N 3.145°E / 50.6233; 3.145

Villeneuve-d'Ascq is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. With more than 60,000 inhabitants, it is one of the main cities of the Urban Community of Lille Métropole and the largest in area (27,46 km²) after Lille; it is also one of the main cities of the Nord-Pas de Calais region.

Built up owing to the merger between Ascq, Annappes and Flers-lez-Lille communes, the new town is nicknamed the "green technopole" thanks to the implantation of many researchers and companies in a pleasant living environment. Outside its academic, scientific and business facilities, Villeneuve-d'Ascq is mostly known because of its two stadiums and for the Ascq massacre. Villeneuve d'Ascq counts more than 60,000 inhabitants and attracts 50,000 students, thanks to its "technopole" (Technical Pole).

Its name means "New city of Ascq" in French and is derived from the Dutch word for "ash". The name of the city is generally written without hyphen as is customary.

Ascq is a former village in the Nord department in northern France on the Marque river. Today, it is part of the city of Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Ascq is unfortunately known for the Ascq massacre of 1 April 1944, where the Nazis massacred 86 men.

Ascq main monuments are Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche Church (19th century), based on a building of 15th century, gare d'Ascq (19th century) railway station, the post office, the town hall (20th century) and the Château Claeys (20th century).

Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche Church

Post office and railway station square

Château Claeys

Ascq town hall

Numerous places are commemorating the world wars : Tertre des massacrés monument, mémorial Ascq 1944 museum, Ascq Communal Cemetery which shelters British and Commonwealth war graves as well as the bodies of the victims of Ascq massacre in 1944, a monument on Saint-Pierre-en-Antioche Church square and some street names, such as 'Rue des Martyrs'.

Tertre des massacrés

Mémorial Ascq 1944

Ascq massacre victims graves, Ascq Communal Cemetery