A whisper of history. A legacy etched in stone. That’s Rue Réaumur in Lille.
This street isn’t just a collection of buildings. It’s a timeline. A testament to architectural innovation. It tells a story of transformation. A shift from the rigid Haussmannian style to a more creative era.
Rue Réaumur’s story begins in 1895. That’s when the city decided to pierce this street. It was to run between Rue Saint Denis and Rue Notre Dame des Victoires. Near the Bourse it became a space for experimentation. A place for ambitious architects to showcase their skills.
The buildings here? They’re a spectacle. They boast monumental facades. The architects used reinforced concrete. Metal structures were common. Large glass windows let in light. They incorporated bow windows. This was a departure from the strict rules of Haussmann. New regulations in 1902 allowed for more variety. Balconies were no longer aligned. The rooflines were more varied. Round corner buildings became common.
Rue Réaumur became a symbol of a new architectural landscape. It was a period of transition before the modern movements. Art Nouveau made its presence known. Yet it was fleeting. It was a stepping stone to rationalism and Art Deco.
In 1897 President Félix Faure inaugurated the street. It honors René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur. He was a renowned French physicist and naturalist.
The city even held a facade competition. It initially focused on Rue Réaumur. It was later extended to all of Paris. Six facades were recognized for their excellence. The architects received gold medals. Building owners received tax breaks.
The buildings largely housed industrialists. Many worked in printing or textiles. Offices also filled the spaces.
Number 51 holds a special place. It’s the former Félix Potin building. Charles Lemaresquier built it in 1910. Its neo-Baroque dome is impressive. Its elaborate ornamentation is striking.
Félix Potin was an innovative entrepreneur. He started his grocery in 1844. His business expanded. This building reflects that success. The materials were modern. Reinforced concrete was used. The space was luxurious. It boasted a large butcher shop and an elegant grocery.
The facade is covered in symbols of opulence. Cornucopias are prominent. There are garlands of fruits and vases. Hermés attributes are visible. He’s the god of commerce. The polychrome painted elements enhance the stone.
The Félix Potin brand vanished in 1995. At its height it had 70 branches. Ten factories and eight cellars were part of the business. Six hundred and fifty horses made deliveries. Its Pantin and La Villette factories employed thousands.
Today a Monoprix occupies the ground floor. During renovations in 2015 two hundred skeletons were unearthed. The site was once a cemetery. It was used during the Black Death in 1348. It saw further use during the Armagnac massacre in 1718. It was destroyed in the late 18th century.
Rue Réaumur is more than a street. It’s a vibrant chapter in Lille’s history. A lesson in architectural evolution. It is a street that whispers secrets of the past.