Was it really that long ago? Imagine Lille in 1858. The Faubourg de Béthune was born outside the city walls. It was a different world then a world on the edge of transformation.
Today we explore Faubourg de Béthune a district in southwest Lille. Once completely outside the city fortifications it now connects via Place Antoine-Tacq. That place marks the old Porte de Béthune the Béthune gate.
Before the 20th century Faubourg de Béthune was mostly rural. It was known as the suburb of Esquermes. Industry boomed here in the late 1800s. The Thiriez cotton mill drove this expansion. By World War I the mill covered 19 hectares. Workers needed homes and services. The Thiriez family built housing and community buildings. They aimed to support their employees’ lives. By 1922 the area had 2700 residents. A church became necessary to supplement the small Crèche Thiriez chapel. Construction began in 1935 and finished in 1937. The architect Jean Delrue designed it.
The Rue du Faubourg de Béthune follows an old Lille road. Records show this route existed in the 11th century. It originally belonged to Esquermes village. The road industrialized starting in 1853. Thiriez mill was key employing people from Esquermes and Loos-les-Lille.
After World War I Lille expanded. The city incorporated Fives Moulins Wazemmes and Esquermes. Old walls came down including the Béthune and Postes gates. The old Faubourg experienced significant change.
The Thiriez company already there since 1839 shaped the district. Factories and worker housing replaced fields. Social infrastructure like schools and gardens appeared. The Rue du Faubourg de Béthune became a vital center. It linked to Lille via the Porte de Béthune and Place Tacq. Trams B and H made it a busy route in the 19th century.
Today the A25 highway divides Faubourg de Béthune. The east side near boulevards de Metz and de la Moselle features large housing projects. Concorde is one of France’s poorest areas. West of the highway lies the “old Faubourg”. It blends into Loos with a bridge connecting it to Lille. This division creates challenges. Major roads isolate parts of the Faubourg de Béthune.
Despite these divisions the Faubourg de Béthune has a strong community. Associations thrive here. Au Lavoir is a unique social and solidarity laundry. A study revealed residents struggled to clean their clothes properly. Au Lavoir opened in 2012 to address this. It offers affordable laundry services. It also provides French classes and job search help. The goal is to empower people. Au Lavoir is open to all in the Lille area. It especially serves those in Wazemmes and Faubourg de Béthune. Many users receive RSA benefits or seek employment.
Today Faubourg de Béthune faces urban renewal. Some families await relocation. Change continues in this historic Lille district. The story of Faubourg de Béthune is one of industry community and ongoing transformation. It shows how a suburb outside the walls became an integral part of Lille.