“Remember Sainte Barbe,” a voice booms. We stand before Le Canonnier in Lille. This is no ordinary stadium. It carries echoes of a military past. Le Canonnier is intertwined with Lille’s defense.
Let’s journey back to 1483. Lille established the Confrérie des Canonniers et Couleuvriniers. They were under the patronage of Sainte Barbe. Sainte Barbe is the patron saint of artillerymen. This brotherhood defended Lille. They stood alongside archers and crossbowmen.
Fast forward to Louis XIV’s siege of Lille. The Canonniers fought bravely. They showed skill with their artillery. Louis XIV rewarded them. He guaranteed their privileges. He granted them two cannons as a sign of honor.
In 1708, Lille faced another siege. The Canonniers defended the city again. Jacques Boutry a master wainwright distinguished himself. He ingeniously repaired the water gate. This was crucial for Lille’s defense. Marshal de Boufflers recognized Boutry’s service. He ennobled him.
The siege of 1792 marked the Canonniers’ most significant act. The Sainte-Barbe brotherhood dissolved. Yet, its members volunteered. They served in the “Égalité” battalion. The people of Lille resisted heroically. Captain Charlemagne Ovigneur learned his house was burning. His wife gave birth that night. Still, he stayed at his post on the ramparts. The Canonniers did not leave the ramparts during the entire siege.
Napoléon Bonaparte honored this resistance. As consul, he reformed the battalion. It became the Bataillon des Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille. He gifted them two Gribeauval cannons. These cannons are displayed at the Musée des Canonniers. He also awarded Captain Ovigneur the Légion d’Honneur. The Hôtel they still occupy to this day.
Le Canonnier is also cited for its defense during the Franco-Prussian War. In 1875, the battalion joined the territorial army. During World War I, the Canonniers fought in Boulogne and Dunkirk. Lille was declared an open city. During the Phony War, they defended Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing. They shot down enemy planes.
In 1983, the battalion was reorganized. It became a reserve unit. In 1989, it was recognized as a mobilization corps. The battalion was dissolved in January 2015. Its flag still appears at events. These include the Lille parade and Sainte Barbe celebrations.
Le Canonnier carries the names of battles on its flag. These are Lille 1792, Dunkerque 1914-1918 and Boulogne 1940.
So the next time you’re at Le Canonnier remember its history. Remember the Confrérie de Sainte Barbe. Remember the brave men who defended Lille. Le Canonnier is more than a stadium. It’s a symbol of Lille’s resilience. It’s a tribute to its defenders.