“A vast, elegant edifice.” That’s what Philippe Le Bon envisioned for what is now Place Rihour. Today, we stand in Place Rihour in Lille. It is a public urban space with a rich past.
The story of Place Rihour begins long ago. The name “Rihour” first appears in 1248. It was in a deed about land with alders, willows, and fishing rights. Bérard Rihout ceded this land to the Hospice Comtesse. It’s not certain if the place was named after the owner or vice versa.
Until the 15th century Place Rihour was a wet area with meadows and trees. The Rihour block was bordered by canals. The Poissonceaux canal was to the northeast. Other parts were bordered by extensions of the city wall, forming a distinct block.
In 1664, the magistrate moved from the old hall to the Palais Rihour. That same year, Charles de Renaucourt faced justice for horse theft and other crimes. He was hanged on Place Rihour on July 12.
The square was once smaller than it is today. It grew when the old Lille Town Hall was destroyed by fire in 1916. Before that, narrow passages connected the square to Rue du Palais Rihour. They were called “the contour of the Town Hall” and “the courtyard of the Ash Tree.”
The Palais Rihour significantly shaped Place Rihour. Philippe Le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, started it in 1453. The palace was a strategic and symbolic choice near the Grand Place. All commercial exchanges happened here. The palace occupied all of Place Rihour.
The Palais Rihour was first a princely palace. Then it became the town hall in 1664. It enjoyed its glory in the 17th century. Its location and imposing look made it central to Lille’s history.
Sadly, three fires damaged the Palais Rihour. The last one in 1916 led to its near-total demolition. Only the 15th-century chapel, its staircase and a section of 19th-century wall were saved. Today, the guard room houses the Lille Tourist Office.
Look around at the row of nine houses on Place Rihour. They were built in 1687 for Anselme Carpentier, a lace merchant. He covered the Poissonceaux canal and gave land to the city. This row became a model for buildings on the Grand Place.
Place Rihour hosts events even today. Every year, during the first weekend in September, the Braderie de Lille takes over the square. Since 1995, the FLCAS has organized the Christmas market here too. It includes about 80 chalets.
Place Rihour has seen nobles, criminals, and merchants. Fires, markets, and celebrations have marked its existence. It remains a vital part of Lille, connecting its past with its present.