The modern tram network, reintroducing this transport mode after its abandonment in 1966, was launched on 3 July 2006 with a first 9.5 mi (15.3 km) section from Université to Dutemple.

[2] The Valenciennes tramway is integrated into the wider local multimodal public transport network and its commercial brand "Transvilles".

It is owned by the Syndicat intercommunal de mobilité et d'organisation urbaine du Valenciennois (SIMOUV), the Transvilles network's organising authority.

The region suffered from a steep decline in several of the local industries, these being mining, steel production and textiles; it was amid this climate that the original tram network was closed in July 1966.

[6] During the late 1980s onwards, there was a wider revival of interest in the topic of tramways and their potential deployment, the planning authorities in Valenciennes soon became keen to embrace this notion themselves.

[7] It would take nearly a full decade between the official proposal for the modern tramway being released and its adoption as an active policy; this delay has been attributed to the various bureaucratic steps required for its authorisation, including the multiple local councils that had to consent to its construction.

[6] According to railway publication Rail Technology, the automotive industry was a key source of support for the relaunch of tram services, since both Peugeot Citroën (PSA) and Toyota have manufacturing plants in the area.

Originally the line was to go through the Place d'Armes in front of the town hall, but instead it uses the nearby Rue de la Vieille-Poissonnerie.

A study on a single-track extension from St-Waast stop to Valenciennes hospital was carried out; however, this option was ultimately dropped in favour of an electric shuttle bus.

[6] The Citadis trams, manufactured by Alstom, have low floors and double doors, which are claimed to enable rapid boarding and disembarking of passengers.

To date, all tram vehicles are identically configured, later-built units having no demonstrable difference in fittings or operational practice from their predecessors.

Maintenance and management are based at a purpose-built combined depot and control centre close to the Saint Waast stop.

[6] Transvilles has developed several marketing strategies for the purpose of increasing passengers, including active customer relationship management via its own website and personalised messages on social media.