Flanders’ history unfolds right here on Rue Aristide Briand. This street in Lille carries echoes of heroic defense. It connects to Rue de Lille in Paris. The Parisian street got its name to honor Lille’s resilience against the Austrian army during the siege of 1792.
Rue de Lille in Paris stretches 1060 meters. It begins at Rue des Saints-Pères. It ends on Rue Aristide Briand. So the Parisian street shares a connection with our location through its very end.
Originally, the Parisian Rue de Lille was opened around 1640. It was part of the large Pré-aux-Clercs grassland. This was on the territory of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Abbey. At first, it was named Rue de Bourbon. This honored Henri de Bourbon. He was the abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
A council ruling in 1704 ordered the Rue de Bourbon to be extended. However, a letter patent in 1719 proposed further extension. But this never happened.
Interestingly, a piano factory moved to Rue de Bourbon in 1780.
During the French Revolution in 1792, the street was renamed Rue de Lille. This name honored the city’s brave defense.
In 1815, the Restoration briefly brought back the name Rue de Bourbon. But after the July Revolution of 1830, it became Rue de Lille again.
During World War I, a German air raid hit number 100 Rue de Lille on March 11, 1918.
The Parisian street is also known for notable residents and buildings. Tristan Tzara died here. The economist Alfred de Foville also lived here.
Number 1 was the address of musician Adolphe Piriou. Former Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas died here.
The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales was located at number 2. It was formerly known as École nationale des langues orientales vivantes. It was commonly called “Langues’O”.
Psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan had his practice at number 5. A commemorative plaque pays tribute to him there.
Writer Richard Wright lived at number 9. Actress Diane Kruger resides in the building at number 11. Karl Marx also lived at number 23.
The street also has historical buildings. The Théatins convent was located at number 26. Remains of its eastern façade can be seen at 13, quai Voltaire.
Edward Hopper even painted a work titled “Staircase at 48, rue de Lille.”
And finally, number 123 Rue de Lille, at the corner of Rue Aristide-Briand, once housed the headquarters of the Gaullist party. Today, it is an annex of the French National Assembly.
So, as you stand on Rue Aristide Briand, remember the connection to Paris. Remember Lille’s history of courage and cultural significance. The echoes of the past resonate in the present.