Wandering down Rue d’Armentières you are walking a path through time. Rue d’Armentières is a main artery of Armentières. It stretches into Rue de Dunkerque.
Initially the street was named Rue d’Arras. This was because it led to the city of Arras. The street’s first mention dates back to 1579. At its end stood the Porte d’Arras. It protected the bridge crossing the city’s moat.
Around 1750 a new route to Lille was built. This led to a name change. In 1819 Rue d’Arras became Rue de Lille. It was briefly known as Rue de la Révolution.
As you stroll along Rue d’Armentières you see signs of reconstruction. They became necessary after World War I. The street is a mosaic of varied facades. It shows the freedom to invent within strict guidelines. Buildings had to align with old property lines.
Regional architecture dominates. The style is Flemish. It was a common choice for rebuilding northern French cities. Look for forms borrowed from Gothic and Renaissance styles. Brick is used heavily. Stone appears more sparingly. Gable ends are another signature feature. They can be straight curved or stepped. Buildings often feature bays accentuating vertical lines.
Reconstruction architects put their own spin on Flemish style. They created original expressive architecture. Louis-Marie Cordonnier was a key figure. This architect oversaw reconstruction in the Lys valley. From the end of World War I he drew up Armentières’ development plan. He also designed many buildings including the Town Hall.
After World War I cities faced a choice. Should they rebuild exactly as before? Or embrace modernity with controlled urban growth? The Cornudet law of 1919 addressed this. It required French cities over 10000 residents to develop reconstruction plans. Plans had to improve traffic hygiene and aesthetics.
Reconstruction included modern improvements. Streets and buildings gained better sanitation. Regulations dictated building dimensions. They controlled street width facade height and courtyard sizes. The story of Rue d’Armentières is a testament to resilience. It embraces both history and progress.