[3] The town originally had a Flemish name; it was written as Waskenhal in the 11th century.

Wasquehal has an area of 6.86 km2 (2.65 sq mi) and a population density of 2,702.8/km2.

Wasquehal hosted the finish of stage 4 of the 1989 Tour de France, won by Jelle Nijdam, and the finish of stage 5 the 1992 Tour de France, won by Guido Bontempi.

The third stage of the 2004 Tour de France also finished in Wasquehal.

Jean-Patrick Nazon won the mass sprint ahead of Erik Zabel and Robbie McEwen.