Did you know that Avenue du Président Hoover is more than just a street? It’s a testament to international gratitude. This avenue in Lille commemorates Herbert Hoover’s humanitarian efforts. He organized the Commission for Relief in Belgium during World War I. Before he became the US President, Hoover helped to save people from famine.
The Commission extended its aid to occupied areas of northern France in 1915. The German army was taking most of the harvest for themselves. Hoover’s organization provided massive food aid. This action reduced starvation and ensured the survival of the population. Lille was the most important city in that region.
Originally opened in 1933, Avenue du Président Hoover sits near where the old Louis XIV gate stood. That gate was destroyed in 1924. The area used to be a military zone where construction wasn’t allowed. This was near Lille’s fortifications. The fortifications were decommissioned in 1919 and torn down during the 1920s.
The avenue initially provided access to the Commercial Fair. It ended in a dead end at the access roads to the Saint-Sauveur station. Boulevard Émile-Dubuisson was built around the same time, but it was also a dead end. It stopped at the exit routes of the Lille station.
Avenue du Président Hoover was designed to be wide from the late 1930s. It has two roadways separated by a central space. This design anticipated a future ring road. The ring road would connect to the Paris-Lille highway.
In 1954, the Saint-Sauveur bridge was built. It provided access to Boulevard Paul-Painlevé. The Pont des Flandres followed in 1956. It spanned the tracks of the Lille-Flandres station north of Boulevard Émile-Dubuisson. This integrated the boulevard into a major thoroughfare. This thoroughfare extended from the A1 highway. This extension had at-grade crossings with traffic lights.
A parallel bypass opened in 1998. This diverted most of the transit traffic. The avenue was transformed into an urban boulevard. Today, Avenue du Président Hoover is bordered by significant buildings.
On the west side is the Art Deco Boitelle telephone exchange. René Delannoy designed it. It opened in 1928 and is now owned by Orange. There are also tall public housing buildings. André Lys constructed these from 1953 to 1955. They stand 41 meters high.
To the east is the Bois Habité district. This is part of EuraLille 2. It was developed around 2010. It replaced the Commercial Fair buildings. The region’s headquarters now stands here. It replaced the Grand Palais. The Grand Palais was destroyed in 1993. The Hôtel de région des Hauts-de-France is located at number 151. It is the seat of the regional council of Hauts-de-France. The building has a “Signal” that is 67 meters high. There is also a “Nappe” that is 12 meters high.
So, as you walk along Avenue du Président Hoover, remember the history. Think of Herbert Hoover’s dedication to saving lives. Consider the avenue’s evolution. It changed from a dead end to a vital urban space.