Question: What if the Allée des Moulins could whisper stories of Lille’s transformation? This isn’t just any path. The Allée des Moulins pulses with echoes of a district defined by industry.
Today we stand on the Allée des Moulins. This area whispers tales of Lille’s past. It serves as a reminder of the relentless march of time.
Once, this area was the commune of Moulins-Lille. It got absorbed by Lille in 1858. Before that, it was a part of Wazemmes. Around 1830, things changed. Industry arrived. Linen mills began to replace the old windmills. Thus, marking a shift from rural to industrial.
The name Allée des Moulins itself points to a time when windmills dominated the landscape. Imagine hundreds of windmills dotting the area. In fact, there were 277 mills during Napoleon I’s time. These mills were essential. They produced flour and oil. The district became the region’s most important market.
The textile industry took over in the 1830s and 1840s. Factories replaced mills. The Wallaert mills and Le Blan mills were the biggest in Moulins. Other industries came too. There were metal factories. Paul Le Gavrian established a steam engine factory in 1837. Chemical factories producing white lead also emerged.
The Allée des Moulins offers a glimpse into the urban structure of Lille. The layout reveals the story of its evolution. The old roads to Arras. Valenciennes. Douai. These routes were once almost the only places with houses before 1830. A few low houses on Rue de Douai and Rue d’Arras are left from that time.
The industrial boom brought changes. In 1836, industrialists sold land to the commune. This led to the construction of the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church. The town hall. Schools. Also the Place de Trévise was built. It is now called Place Déliot.
Interestingly, the Allée des Moulins wasn’t heavily affected. This was by the Haussmann-style renovations in the 1860s. This happened after Lille expanded in 1858. Unlike other areas, Moulins kept its unique structure.
The mix of factories and humble homes created a distinct identity. It was a working-class suburb with unsanitary conditions. This was due to the city focusing on infrastructure. Water. Sewers. And public buildings. Unfortunately, workers’ housing was left to private developers. Speculators took advantage of this.
The Allée des Moulins felt the impact of World War I. In 1916, a munitions depot exploded. It damaged factories and homes. Tragically, many people died and were injured.
The area saw a gradual decline in industry. From the 1950s to the late 1980s, factories closed. These old buildings needed new purposes. Some became housing.
The Allée des Moulins stands as a testament. It reflects Lille’s industrial age. Today, it offers a space to remember the past. It prompts reflection on the ongoing changes shaping Lille. This area is a reminder of the city’s history. A history built on mills, industry, and the lives of its people.