Menen's position near the French border led to many sieges in the history of the city. There were as many as 22 sieges between 1579 and 1830.
The city was part of France between 1668 and 1713. Vauban turned Menen into a model-fortification (1679�1689).
The city was besieged and taken by the Duke of Marlborough's allied Army in August 1706. During the Flanders Campaign of the Wars of the French Revolution the city changed hands several times and was the scene of a battle in September 1793.
A new art museum, the Stadsmuseum �t Schippershof, opened in 1999 which holds many works by Menen-born sculptress Yvonne Serruys.
The Mayor of City is Gilbert Bossuyt. He is a member of the Different Socialist Party
