“Shh, can you hear that?” It is the hushed tones of history whispering through the stones of Cour Defontaine. This is not just a place; it is a portal to Lille’s captivating past. Welcome to a hidden gem, a small street in Lille. Let’s journey back in time.
Lille, originally named L’Isle or “The Island,” began as a village nestled between the arms of the Deûle River. Its strategic location made it a vital trading hub. The town developed where goods needed to be unloaded. They were then transported to navigable sections of the river. This break in the river’s course foreshadowed Lille’s vocation as a trading city.
In 1066, the first written evidence of Lille’s existence appeared. Baudouin V, Count of Flanders, endowed the collegiate church of Saint-Pierre with canons and revenues. He referred to the town as “isla,” derived from the Latin “insula,” meaning “island.” Lille was indeed born from water.
The wealthy chose to live higher up on the healthier chalk near the Marché. That area was close to the Paris-Flanders road. Until the Canal de l’Esplanade was dug in 1750, goods transported by water had to transit overland between the Haute and Basse Deûle. This break in the longitudinal slope was a key factor in the town’s development.
The medieval town was crisscrossed by numerous canals. Some followed ancient watercourses. Others were artificial. They were created by ditches or dug for specific needs. The town’s name derives from the 1066 Charter of Endowment of the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre.
Lille’s cloth fair became increasingly renowned from the 11th century onward. In 1213, Philippe Auguste sacked and besieged the city. He punished the people of Lille for betraying Count Ferrand of Flanders. Countess Jeanne was much loved by the people of Lille.
Lille came under French rule from 1304 to 1369 after the Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle. The County of Flanders became part of the Duchy of Burgundy in 1369. Philip the Good made Lille an administrative and financial capital.
In 1667, Louis XIV besieged and claimed Lille. Vauban improved the city’s fortifications. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the fortified town was besieged in 1708. Lille was returned to France in 1713 by the Treaty of Utrecht.
Lille suffered riots in 1789. Several religious establishments were destroyed. In 1792, the Austrians besieged Lille. The people resisted. They were led by Mayor François André. The National Convention decreed that “Lille has well deserved its fatherland.”
The city continued to grow. By 1800, it had 53000 inhabitants. Lille became the capital of the Nord department in 1804. The region further developed its textile industry. Lille worked with cotton, and Roubaix and Tourcoing worked with wool.
In 1858, neighboring communes were annexed to Lille. By 1896, Gustave Delory became the first socialist mayor of a major French city. In 1914, Lille was declared an “open city.” The people of Lille suffered many atrocities during the German occupation.
Lille was liberated in 1918 by British troops. The city was awarded the Légion d’honneur for its performance during the siege of 1792.
Cour Defontaine stands as a silent witness to Lille’s evolution. From its humble beginnings as an island village to its role as a major industrial and cultural center, Lille’s story is etched in every stone of this street. As you leave, carry with you the echoes of history. Remember the resilience and spirit of Lille’s people.