Ever wonder how a park can be both a peaceful retreat and a window into the past? Welcome to Parc Bocquet. It is a green space with a story that stretches back centuries. Let’s explore its history together.
Before becoming the Parc Bocquet we see today, this area saw many transformations. Its history is closely linked to Hellemmes and Lille. The name Hellemmes comes from the Germanic words for home and holy. It may have been named so because of early Christian influence.
In 1779, the Scrive-Bransiaux-Bigo family owned a chateau in Hellemmes. This chateau was likely destroyed by Madame Descamps-Bocquet’s parents. Madame Scrive-Bransiaux created the Parc Bocquet in the 19th century. It already had a garden with fruit trees. The Descamps-Bocquet family used Parc Bocquet as a getaway. They built Villa Lisbeth there in the Neo-Flemish Jugendstil style.
Jules Duclermortier designed Villa Lisbeth. He was a well-known architect in the Lille area in the early 20th century. Interestingly, there’s an identical Villa Lisbeth replica near Lille. Mr. and Mrs. Descamps commissioned Villa Lisbeth. The villa was named after Mrs. Descamps. The Parc Bocquet got its name from her family name.
The Germans destroyed the villa’s beautiful bell tower during World War II. They wanted to install a machine gun. Today, one might ask why not restore it?
The Descamps family had been in Lille since 1668. They were involved in the linen trade. Auguste Descamps started a filter business in Lille in 1802. His sons joined him in 1830. The business split in 1850. Auguste, the elder brother, got a linen mill at 4 rue des Célestins. It was named Descamps l’Aîné. In 1918, Léon and Edouard Descamps converted the mill into a bed linen weaving factory. The Descamps brand celebrated its 150th anniversary in March 2009. Auguste Descamps, the founder, specialized in linen thread for lace. He opened a sewing thread workshop in Lille in 1802.
In 1919, the Fives-Lille company bought land in Hellemmes and Lille. This was to create housing for workers due to a shortage. In 1920, Mr. and Mrs. Descamps-Bocquet sold the entire Parc Bocquet estate to Fives-Lille. Fives-Lille was a major steel industry company in northern France. It built railways, bridges, and even parts of the Eiffel Tower. The company needed housing for its workers.
The Parc Bocquet area changed significantly. The Villa Lisbeth became the factory’s management office. Houses were built for directors, engineers, and foremen. In the 1990s, the company sold the properties to employees and the municipality.
In 1992 and 1994, Hellemmes bought Parc Bocquet from FCB for a symbolic franc. Parc Bocquet became a public park. The Centre Communal d’Actions Sociales moved into Villa Lisbeth. The Parc Bocquet remains a vital part of the community. It offers a green space for all to enjoy.
So, as you wander through Parc Bocquet, remember its layered past. From family estate to industrial housing and finally a public park, it has always been a place of change and growth. Take a moment to appreciate this green space in the heart of Lille.