Seven ceramic panels. That’s what makes the Rue des Stations Notre-Dame Plaque so special. Right here before us is a quiet street in Lille. But its unassuming exterior hides a fascinating history. This plaque commemorates a pilgrimage route. A route marked by seven chapels built in 1635. These chapels were stations for pilgrims. They journeyed to Notre-Dame-d’Esquermes.
The story begins long ago. Legend tells of shepherds. Their sheep knelt before a statue of the Virgin Mary. This discovery happened around 1014. The Count of Flanders joined the pilgrimage. He was cured of an incurable illness. He then built a chapel. This chapel is now known as Notre-Dame de Réconciliation.
Pilgrimages also went to Notre-Dame de Loos. These pilgrimages faded. Jesuits revived the tradition in the 17th century. They rebuilt the seven chapels in 1635. Sadly they eventually vanished. This revival was short-lived.
A canal ran alongside the pilgrimage route. It improved the supply of water. The canal was dug in 1565. The canal was a branch of the Fourchon or Arbonnoise. This was an original arm of the Deûle river. The canal passed near the current Rue de Puebla. It then flowed along the Vauban flood embankment. It continued to the Haut-Hibernois canal.
The Rue des Stations itself opened in 1863. It replaced older paths and streets. These included the Chemin des Stations and the Rue des Longs-Murs. The canal was filled in 1883. No trace of it remains today. Brother André Bouton created seven ceramics. These represent the original resting places of the pilgrimage. They were installed on the street’s facades in 1949. They are a testament to the enduring faith of the pilgrims.
So look closely at the Rue des Stations Notre-Dame Plaque. It’s more than just a marker. It whispers tales of faith healing and ancient waterways. It reminds us of a vibrant pilgrimage route. This route once pulsed with the devotion of countless travelers. The plaque is a lasting tribute. It’s a tribute to the enduring legacy of this special street in Lille.