Those rose-pink marble columns. They still stand. A silent testament to the Bains Lillois.
Right here before you stands the magnificent facade. It’s all that remains of a once-vibrant public bathhouse. A place of social and hygienic importance in Lille’s history. The Bains Lillois opened in 1892. It was designed by the architect Albert Baert. It wasn’t just a bathhouse. It was a pioneering establishment. It housed one of France’s first heated swimming pools.
Imagine the bustling activity within its walls. Two hundred and seventy individual bathing cabins. Multiple shower rooms. A steam room. And three distinct swimming pools. A “petit bain” for learning to swim. A “bain moyen” for recreational swimming. And a “grand bain” for experienced swimmers. Clever design. The “moyen” and “grand” baths shared a single basin. A cleverly designed wall separated them. Two pools for the price of one!
Léon Verdonck directed the Bains Lillois. He’s also notable. He was the founder of two early French competitive swimming societies. He introduced water polo to France. In 1898 only three clubs played water polo. The Tritons Lillois and the Pupilles de Neptune of Lille were two of them. The Pupilles de Neptune was the oldest water polo club in France. The third was the Libellule of Paris.
The Bains Lillois closed in 1981. It didn’t meet safety standards. Demolition followed in 1998. The site became offices and housing. The facade remained. Completely restored in 2009 it remains a protected monument. The neoclassical facade is stunning. Its Belle Époque decor is a delight. The entrance portico is particularly striking.
In 1924 Alfred Labille created new stained-glass windows. They added to the artistic beauty of this public facility. The Bains Lillois. A legacy of leisure and athletic achievement. Its impressive facade speaks to its unique place in Lille’s past. A symbol of social progress. A reminder of a time when public baths weren’t just for washing but also for community and sport.