The kings of France have lay siege to Cambrai several times: Louis XI from 1477 to 1482; Henry III and then Henry IV from 1581 to 1585; Louis XIV in 1649 and in 1657. Vainly! After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, the Cambrésis forms a breach in Vauban's dreaming area. So during the Holland war Vauban suggests Louvois doing the siege first of Condé and second of Bouchain for conquering Valenciennes and Cambrai. But the king of Spain wasn't agreeing with the pretensions of Louis XIV. Fortified by Charles Quint Cambrai is also the fortified town of the Netherlands.

Valenciennes succumbed the 03/17/1677. Cambrai is now isolated. After Louis XIV laid siege to Cambrai during 29 days the town succumbed the 04/19/1667. Louis XIV came into the town Easter Monday. He made a Te Deum sing in the cathedral. The peace of Nimègue consecrates this success in 1678. The treaty of the Pyrenees gave Avesnes, Landrecy and Le Quesnoy to the France. But Vauban established this border was vulnerable since 1659. He had to organise an all-defensive system with Maubeuge as its master key to protect Paris.

Maubeuge was a French city from 1637 to 1641 and for 1649 to 1650 and then from 1655 to 1656. This city was tying up to France in the year 1678 by the treaty of Nimègue. This tying up put an end to a centenary of calamities. When the French took possession of the town, they find it three quarters destroyed, the houses ransacked, the inhabitants reduced to the mendacity. Works of fortification become during eight years. Finally Louis XIV comes to see the town the 04/12/1680.

By another way the treaty of the Pyrenees witch tercentenary was celebrated in 1959 allowed the integration of the city of Avesnes-sur-Helpe in the kingdom of France.

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