Smet’s vision transformed this area. Today we explore the Recueil. This district of Villeneuve-d’Ascq holds stories of transformation. It is a place where rural charm met urban development.
The Recueil’s name has interesting roots. It possibly comes from Ribaut Escœul. He was a lord who once held his fief here centuries ago. Imagine this land long ago. It was a patchwork of fields and manors.
The Recueil was historically divided. Part of it belonged to Flers in the west. The other part belonged to Annappes in the east. Over time these boundaries blurred. The Recueil became its own entity.
Around the 14th century, a notable site existed here. It was the Croix d’Annappes. This was a manor linked to the Roques seigneury. It included land stretching from the Marque River to the Lille road.
Until 1785, the fief of Ribaut Escoeul was located in this very district. The Lannoy road running through the Recueil was once vital. It connected Lille to Belgium. This made the Recueil a significant point on a trade route.
In 1737, a local priest fought for a vicar. He revealed that the area was called “little Holland”. This was because residents rarely attended church. This gives us a glimpse into the local culture.
Jean-Baptiste Smet, a former mayor of Lille, shaped the Recueil. In 1844, he built his country house here. It was named the Château du Recueil. This chateau reflects the appeal of the countryside. Wealthy Lille residents sought refuge here in the 19th century.
Significant changes occurred more recently. In 2007, 400 new homes were built. The Recueil saw considerable growth. Despite this development it remains one of the least urbanized areas in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
The Château du Recueil still stands. It is located at the corner of Rue d’Hem and Rue de Lannoy. This 19th-century castle belonged to Jean-Baptiste Smet. He served as mayor of Lille and a Flers council member. The chateau is a reminder of the past.
Today, the Recueil is home to modern facilities. These include the national purchasing center of Auchan Retail. It is also home to part of the University of Lille. The Chemistry – Mechanical Engineering and Product Engineering department is located here. It is part of the CREST – IUT A Le Recueil.
The Recueil is accessible by bus. Several Ilévia bus lines serve the area. These include lines 32, 37 and L4. The school bus line 969 also runs here.
As we conclude our visit to the Recueil, remember its layers of history. From its feudal origins to its modern developments, the Recueil embodies change. It is a place where the past and present merge.