Labanque

Labanque is a contemporary art centre in Béthune, housed in the former Bank of France branch building on Place Clemenceau. What was once a working financial institution has been transformed into a space dedicated to the production and presentation of visual art.

Why is it called Labanque?

The name is a direct nod to the building's original purpose. The Bank of France opened a branch in Béthune in 1910, with construction of the building completed in 1912 and an extension added in 1924. The branch remained in operation until it closed to the public in July 2006. Just a year later, in October 2007, the same premises reopened as Labanque, an institution devoted to contemporary visual arts.

What does the building look like?

The facade is built in a neo-Louis XIII style, combining red brick with dressed stone, and stands out as a distinctive landmark on Place Clemenceau. Inside, the building retains an elaborate Art Deco decorative scheme that reflects the former prestige of the bank branch. The conversion to a cultural venue did not erase traces of its financial past — visitors can still see reminders of its banking history, including the former vault room, archive spaces, and what used to be the branch director's private apartments.

What happened to the building after the bank closed?

Between 2012 and 2015 the building underwent an extensive renovation. The work brought the site up to current standards, improved accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility, and created new spaces and functions within the structure. This modernisation allowed the former bank to operate fully as a contemporary cultural institution while preserving its historic architectural character.

How much exhibition space does Labanque have?

Labanque now offers more than 1,500 square metres of exhibition space spread across four floors of the building. This scale allows several exhibitions or large-scale artistic projects to be presented at the same time, making it one of the more significant contemporary art venues in the Hauts-de-France region.

What kind of institution is Labanque?

Labanque operates as a centre for both the production and the diffusion of visual arts. In practice, this means the institution does more than display finished works: it also supports artists while they develop new pieces, often conceived specifically for the unusual spaces of the former bank. This combination of gallery, studio, and experimental space shapes the identity of the venue.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Labanque building originally used for? It was a branch of the Bank of France in Béthune, opened in 1910 and operating until July 2006.

When did the Labanque art centre open? The contemporary art institution opened in the same building in October 2007.

What traces of the building's banking past remain? Visitors can still see the former vault room, archive spaces, and the branch director's former apartments.

How large is the exhibition space? More than 1,500 square metres spread across four floors of the building.

Has the building been renovated? Yes, a major renovation took place between 2012 and 2015 to modernise the site and improve accessibility.