Just as his Metz Pompidou and Tate Liverpool the local Lens now has his own words Louvre. With the Paris of the original really only the transparency of the local glass pyramid has in common - and part of the collection: 205 works from all departments of the Paris headquarters are seen in the new branch 200 kilometers north of the capital. Here, the Louvre Lenser understands very well as a new wing of the old - and is thus in keeping with tradition, but already voted on the Rue de Rivoli was over the centuries extended and supplemented by extensions and alterations. Away from the museum held in classical baroque castle was built in Lens too of simplicity almost unbeatable building with spacious, bright rooms, glass facades and mirrors. A bit reminiscent of the design by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa (Sanaa) inside of a mix of pharmaceutical company and gym. The great sounds he leaves the exhibited art, which can spread neatly here: Five rectangular building made of glass and metal, in their facades made of brushed aluminum reflects the surrounding park, extend over a total area of ​​28,000 square meters. Alone 3000 Attributable to rightly called "Great Gallery" - enough space to present the same time from different cultures together. This all takes place in many a former mining region that has its best days long behind him - even his Louvre Lens hopes that a piece of culture-induced structural change and a northern French variant of the Bilbao effect. That the "rough north" it needs it, you do not just since the Sticks; Émile Zola described the plight of the region in 1885 in the darkest colors. There is also a decent jump start: end of 2013 is the entry into the new exhibition center completely free - so worth it, the province to take a chance...