“Austariki curtis” a Germanic name echoes through time. It whispers the origin of Ostricourt’s name. We are standing in a town shaped by coal and community.
Ostricourt is a French commune. It sits in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France. This town boasts a population of over 6000 residents. It is located south of Lille. Ostricourt sits a mere 25 kilometers from the city.
Imagine this area centuries ago. Robert Bishop of Arras donated Ostricourt’s altar to St-Amé. This act occurred in 1115. Ostricourt then belonged to the Chatelain of Lille.
The Chatelain had a right. He could conscript men from abbey lands for his wars. This was conditional. They could not be forced beyond Ostricourt.
Later Pierre-Joseph Petit became Lord of Ostricourt. This was in the early 18th century. His son Nicolas-Joseph-Marie Petit also became Lord. He met a tragic end. He drowned in Lille’s Esplanade canal.
Ostricourt’s story took a turn. Like other mining towns it welcomed Polish immigrants in the 1920s. These families sought work in the mines.
During World War II Ostricourt was occupied. It faced the Nazi regime. Nearby at the Dourges mine a strike began. Miners protested. They denied the Germans coal. This act of resistance led to arrests and deportations.
Ostricourt’s coat of arms displays a striking image. It features a gold chief on a red field. This emblem connects to the Chatelains of Lille. They were once lords of Ostricourt.
The land around Ostricourt features unique waterways. The Filet Maurant Amont flows here. Also, the Harponlieu stream meanders through. A charming pond adds to the landscape. It is called the Ratintout.
The climate in Ostricourt is oceanic. It experiences moderate temperatures. Rainfall is consistent.
Ostricourt is part of the Douai-Lens urban area. It is considered a suburb. The town is within Lille’s sphere of influence.
The town’s soil is diverse. Forests and semi-natural areas cover much of the land. Urban areas and arable land also mark the landscape.
The name Ostricourt has ancient roots. It may come from a Germanic personal name Austarík. The suffix “court” signifies a farm.
Now let’s talk about the forest. The Romans started clearing the Offlarde forest. They built a road to Tournai. The road was 55 km long.
The local soil was used to make tiles. These tiles came from sand. The sand was from Ratintout.
Ostricourt boasts several points of interest. There’s the Château de Beauprés. The Église Saint-Vaast has a history. Its bell tower dates back to 1755.
The “Arbre Échelle” stands as a war relic. This oak served as a military observation post. Iron rungs are still visible.
Terril No. 108 is a former mining heap. It is now a protected natural area. Walking paths connect the mines to the forest.
Several notable people hail from Ostricourt. Florian-Jules-Félix Desprez became a cardinal. Georges Glineur was a Belgian politician. Jules Coine was a miner-poet. Nordine Kourichi played football for Algeria.
And there you have it a glimpse into Ostricourt. Its history is woven from ancient origins coal mining and community spirit. Take a moment to reflect on the layers of time that have shaped this unique French town.