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Design across borders
Design across borders
How can designers, makers and entrepreneurs work together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow? During this inspiring day organised by Creativ’Up, discover how design can build bridges between creativity, craftsmanship, heritage and innovation.
Together with Vitrine pour un·e Designer and France Design Week, we welcome designers, creative entrepreneurs, students, heritage professionals and curious visitors from France, Wallonia and Flanders to Louvre-Lens Vallée.
Expect a varied programme of workshops, inspiring encounters and an evening dedicated to exchanging ideas. Be inspired by cross-border collaborations, discover new perspectives and meet professionals who are shaping the future of design.
Join us on Wednesday 30 September 2026 at Louvre-Lens Vallée.
Programme
Practical workshops, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
The day will be dedicated to interactive and participatory workshops led by HOWEST University of Applied Sciences. Two workshops are planned, in small groups of no more than 15 participants, to encourage exchange and hands-on practice.
Topics covered:
• Business models applied to design activities — led by Filip Daniëls, lecturer and researcher at HOWEST.
• Design & Artificial Intelligence — led by Giliam Ganzevles, lecturer and researcher at HOWEST.
The workshops will be held in English. Participants will nevertheless be able to ask questions or request clarification in their native language.
Inspiration evening & networking, from 6:00 pm
The evening will begin with a key moment: the handover of the presidency of Vitrine pour un.e Designer, together with the official launch of the call for applications for Designers en Résidence, aimed at young designers. The Creativ’Up project partners will also present the next opportunities offered by the project.
The evening will continue with:
• A Designers & Businesses panel discussion, bringing together three designer/business partnerships from Wallonia, Flanders and France, sharing concrete examples of the added value of design for businesses.
• A networking cocktail until 10:30 pm, providing an opportunity to continue conversations in a friendly atmosphere with designers, businesses, schools and institutional partners.
A multilingual and accessible event
To ensure that language is never a barrier, the workshops will be held in English, while participants will be able to ask questions or request clarification in their native language. During the networking evening and presentations, interpreters will be present to translate the discussions into French and Dutch.
Practical information
How to get to Louvre-Lens Vallée (France)
We encourage sustainable modes of transport and therefore recommend travelling by carpool or public transport whenever possible.
By train
Lens railway station is served from Lille (approximately 30 minutes) and Arras (20 minutes). From Lens station, Louvre-Lens Vallée can be reached on foot (approximately 15 minutes) or by shuttle.
From Belgium, the connection generally goes via Lille Flandres, which is the natural hub for travelling to Lens:
• From Mons: approximately 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes by train, with a connection via Lille Flandres.
• From Tournai: the fastest journey takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes, with a connection, usually via Lille Flandres.
• From Kortrijk: approximately 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 40 minutes, with a connection via Lille Flandres. The Kortrijk–Lille Flandres connection is direct and takes approximately 37 minutes, with up to 15 departures per day.
By car
Louvre-Lens Vallée is located at 84 rue Paul Bert, 62300 Lens, near the A21 motorway. Free parking is available on site.
From Belgium:
• From Tournai: approximately 55 minutes by car.
• From Mons or Charleroi: approximately 1 hour by car.
• From Kortrijk: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
Coming by car?
Offer or find a carpool through the Carpool or BlaBlaCar platform.
If transport is a barrier to your participation, please let us know! (contact@creativup.eu)
©Thorin CLAEYS