How about stepping into a world of elegance? Today we’re standing before the Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont. This isn’t just any building. It’s a piece of Lille’s rich history. This grand residence stands at 45 rue de Roubaix.
The Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont has quite the story. Picture this it was built in 1703 for Pierre-Louis Jacobs d’Hailly. He was a wealthy banker from Anvers. The building was designed “entre Cour et jardin”. This means it had both a courtyard and a garden.
But the Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont’s story doesn’t end there. During the French Revolution, it was seized. It then passed through different hands. First, it belonged to a manufacturer. After that, it was owned by a dyer. Eventually, it was acquired by the religious order of Notre-Dame-du-Cénacle. They even transformed parts of it in the 19th century.
The community abandoned it during the separation of Church and State. Jules Scrive-Loyer bought it in 1907. Then in 1946, a significant change occurred. The Ministry of the Armed Forces acquired the Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont.
General de Gaulle took a personal interest. He focused on restoring and enhancing it. Since 1965, its roofs and facades have been listed as historical monuments. This includes both the courtyard and garden sides. Today, the Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont serves as the residence for the General commanding the French Army’s Land Forces.
Imagine the garden stretching along rue des Canonniers. It extends to boulevard Carnot. A canal once flowed through it. It was known as the canal des Vieux Hommes.
Inside the Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont, a beautiful world awaits. The smoking room features wood panels and sculpted doors. The floors boast oak and South American red wood. The dining room has simple oak décor. The winter garden is illuminated by stained glass windows.
Perhaps the most stunning room is the former guard room. Its vaulted ceiling is adorned with angels. Acanthus leaves, shells, and motifs of the Sun King decorate it. Tiles from Lille dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries line the walls. 16th-century stained glass from Switzerland adds a touch of light.
In the garden stands a 30-meter-tall ginkgo biloba tree. The main building’s facade features ten bays. The keystones are decorated with interesting faces. The Hôtel d’Ailly-d’Aigremont is a blend of civilian and military history. It stands as a testament to Lille’s past.