Journey with me to the Rue Pierre Fosfer a street with more stories than cobblestones. This isn’t just any street it is a vital artery of Lille. It pulses with history and the everyday lives of its residents.
Rue Pierre Fosfer is named after Pierre Legrand. He was a deputy of Lille. The street received its name in 1895. Before that, this road had two names. From the Pont de Fives to the Rue de Lannoy it was called Rue du Faubourg-de-Fives. Beyond that, towards Hellemmes it was known as Rue du Faubourg de Tournai or Route de Tournai. Imagine the horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping along these routes.
The Rue Pierre Fosfer follows a very old path. This path connected Lille to Tournai. It existed in the Middle Ages. This route went through the Porte de Fives. After 1670, it went through the Porte de Tournai instead.
Picture this the area between the Porte de Tournai and the entrance to Fives. It crossed an area where building was not allowed. This area is now Rue Javary and the Pont de Fives. It passed under railway lines and roads. The route has not changed much in centuries.
Once, the part of the street beyond Rue de Bellevue had wooden houses. These were built because the military did not allow permanent structures. Only one of these wooden houses remains. The village of Fives grew along this street and the Rue du Long-Pot.
This street was once served by tram lines G and B. The last of these lines was removed in 1966. The Rue Pierre Fosfer is lined with low brick houses. Most are only one or two stories high. The street is the commercial heart of Fives. Many shops occupy the ground floors. As the main road through Fives, it sees a lot of traffic.
You will notice a bend in the road between Rue Bourjembois and the Fives district hall. This is Place Pierre Degeyter. It is named after the composer of the Internationale. He was once a worker at the Fives factory.
The Fives district hall is a notable building. It was built in the 1920s. It stands where the old Fives town hall used to be. Fives was annexed to Lille in 1858. The building once housed a police station and a library. A customs building was once nearby. That is why some people call this area the Fives Customs.
Take a moment to absorb the vibrant atmosphere here on Rue Pierre Fosfer. It is a place where history and modern life intertwine seamlessly. The echoes of the past resonate around every corner. You can almost hear the trams rattling along the tracks. You can picture the merchants selling their wares. The Rue Pierre Fosfer is not just a street. It is a living testament to Lille’s rich and ever-evolving story.