Tucked away in the embrace of Lille’s urban sprawl lies Wattignies. This seemingly ordinary commune holds within it a tapestry of stories, woven from the threads of history. Wattignies isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a place where echoes of battles, whispers of ancient chapels, and the grandeur of forgotten chateaux mingle. Wattignies first appeared in historical records around 1159. Back then, it was known as “Watengni.” The name evolved through the centuries, appearing as “Wattegnies” in 1220, “Wategnies” and “Watines” in later records, finally settling as “Wattignies” in 1733. The name itself speaks to the landscape, referring to a vast, open plain.
Wattignies boasts a church, Saint-Lambert, a testament to the passage of time. It’s a trifecta of architectural styles, with the original chapel dating back to the 11th or 12th century. The tower reaches towards the sky, a 16th-century addition, while the central part and wings are from the 18th and 19th centuries. Within Saint-Lambert, you might have once found a painted wooden retable depicting scenes from Christ’s Passion. It dated back to 1544 but sadly, it was stolen in 1978. A more recent addition to Wattignies’ landscape is the town hall, constructed in 1961.
Wattignies also holds a piece of history rarely seen in France: a fleur-de-lis adorned processional cross, estimated to be from the 14th century. This golden cross is unique for having four fleurs-de-lis, one on each end, when typically only three are present. Its existence lends credence to the theory of a fortified castle existing alongside the 12th-century chapel. Wattignies has a rich history of castles. The first, a feudal castle from the 12th century, likely stood where the present-day Place de Wattignies is. The only remaining trace may be a low door on the right side of the chapel, possibly once an access point to this fortress. The second chateau, built between 1615 and 1640 by Philippe de Kessel, stood about 500 meters from the first. While the chateau itself was destroyed by fire in 1929 and later replaced by the CREPS in 1960, some remnants of its past glory remain. The 17th-century open-air theatre, the monumental gate, the driveway known as Malborough’s Drive, and four Medici vases, precursors to those at Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles, still whisper tales of a grand era. Even the octagonal vegetable garden, laid out according to 17th-century customs, persists, along with the steward’s house, built in 1830 in the Picard style, which once housed the chateau’s stables.
But Wattignies is not just a place of quiet historical charm. In 1708, it was the site of a pivotal battle during the War of the Spanish Succession. Here, the French forces suffered a defeat against the Duke of Marlborough, who was besieging nearby Lille. The battle unfolded on a gentle slope south of the chateau, where French troops advanced towards Marlborough’s forces, strategically positioned in trenches. Wattignies’ location was crucial. It served as the western hinge of the English defensive line, an arc stretching from Wattignies to Cysoing, anchored by the Deûle and Marque rivers. A French victory at Wattignies could have shifted the tide of the war, potentially leading to the relief of Lille.
Wattignies, a small commune on the outskirts of Lille, holds a rich history waiting to be unearthed. From ancient chapels to grand chateaux, from battles lost to architectural gems, Wattignies invites you to explore its hidden stories.