Picture the scene. You stand before Haubourdin a town steeped in history. Its name itself whispers tales of a Frankish chieftain Haribod. His domain once stood where we stand today.
Haubourdin boasts a rich heritage. It was part of Hainaut until its elevation to a vicomte in 1127. For centuries Haubourdin belonged to the chatelains of Lille. Powerful families like the Luxembourgs Bourguignons and Saint-Pols owned it. Even Henri IV briefly held the town before selling it to Nicolas du Chastel. The last vicomte the Marquis de Roquelaure met a tragic end on the scaffold in 1794. A dramatic end to a dramatic history.
The town’s past isn’t just about powerful lords. There’s a fascinating story woven into the fabric of Haubourdin’s everyday life. The Beaupré fief was one of Haubourdin’s many feudal holdings. The Beaupré Chateau once stood proudly. Now a lycée and avenue bear its name. The Fourmestraux des Wazières family owned this fief among others. André II de Fourmestraux des Wazières a successful merchant was a notable figure in Haubourdin. He also held the positions of échevin rewart and mayor of Lille a testament to his influence. The family history is a complex web of marriages and inheritance a true tapestry of times past. Their story is woven throughout Haubourdin.
Think of the Deûle Canal. It flows through Haubourdin. Its course has been altered throughout history. In the mid-19th century a bend in the canal south of the town was straightened. The old route survives as the “Vieux Canal”. Later the canal’s northern edge shifted near Sequedin during the construction of the A25 motorway in the 1960s.
The town’s industrial past deserves mentioning. Haubourdin was once known for its draperies. This prosperity faded during the wars of the 17th century. Later industries like the Sander textile factory and the Lever soap factory once thrived here. Their closures left behind large industrial sites. They are currently undergoing redevelopment. Cargill’s starch factory remains a major presence in the town. It’s now one of the region’s largest exporters. Haubourdin’s economic landscape is constantly shifting reflecting the changes in France’s industries.
Look around. Notice the neo-Flemish and eclectic style of some houses. See the Saint-Maclou Church. Its bell tower spire has been lost twice most recently in 1940. Explore the national necropolis a sobering reminder of wartime sacrifice. Don’t forget the Ferme du Bocquiau. This farm dating back to at least 1466 has been transformed into a cultural center.
Haubourdin’s history is vast and layered. It’s a story of Frankish origins feudal lords industrial booms and quiet everyday lives. It’s a story that continues to unfold.