Remember the echoes of looms and the splash of river traffic. Today, we explore Houplines. It is a French town steeped in textile history and traversed by the Lys river. Houplines sits in the Nord department of northern France. It forms part of the Mètropole Européenne de Lille.
Houplines’ story is interwoven with the threads of industry. The navigable Lys River fostered its early development. In 1383, two grain mills turned here along with a paper mill and an oil mill. These mills formed the heart of the first settlement. By the 17th century, the town saw its paper mill transformed. It became a mill for fulling cloth. The drapery trade emerged. The 18th century brought further growth. Linen and cotton processing took root with spinning and weaving. Around 1750, Houplines boasted 80 looms. They wove common canvases and a bleaching factory that could handle 80 pieces of canvas each year. A royal manufacture of cotton and muslin threads arose in 1768. However, it could not withstand foreign competition.
Houplines did not enjoy the same freedoms as Armentières. Armentières was allowed to govern itself. Houplines depended directly on its lord. The lord appointed bailiffs and magistrates. They represented his authority.
Houplines became a textile center in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution and mechanization transformed the town. Around 1900, Houplines was populous and prosperous. The “Grand Route” neighborhood grew around factories. The Saint-Charles church was built in 1883.
Houplines suffered greatly during World War I. The front line ran through its territory. The hamlet of l’Épinette witnessed fierce combat. The town was evacuated in stages. By January 1917, it was completely abandoned. The conflict left Houplines almost entirely destroyed. The population plummeted. It went from 7,550 in 1914 to 2,662 in 1921. As a testament to these trials, the town’s arms bear the Croix de Guerre.
After the war, Houplines rebuilt itself. The new town hall was erected between the Bourg and the Route. The Saint-Charles church was rebuilt on its original site. Sainte-Anastasie church was built on the foundations of the old town hall. This location was the site of the medieval Houplines castle.
The Lys River shapes the landscape and history of Houplines. The town is also twinned with Kirchhundem in Germany. This partnership fosters exchanges between associations and schools. Houplines carries a narrative of resilience. From its industrial past to its modern connections, the town embodies the spirit of northern France. As you explore Houplines, think on the textile workers. They shaped its identity.