Consider this. Saint-André-lez-Lille wasn’t always called that. It used to be simply Saint-André.
Let’s explore this interesting commune. Saint-André-lez-Lille sits in the Nord department of northern France. It is part of the Métropole Européenne de Lille.
But why the “lez-Lille”? Well “lez” means “near” or “next to”. It was added to distinguish it from other Saint-André’s in France. This name change became official in 1991. Before that it was just Saint-André.
The story of Saint-André-lez-Lille begins around the year 1000. Lille emerged from a marshy territory crisscrossed by branches of the Deûle river. By the 13th century a district called “Faubourg Saint-Pierre” developed outside Lille’s original ramparts. This area surrounded an early church also named Saint-André.
In 1273 the area around the route from Lille to Ypres became a parish. This is where the current Rue Saint-André is located.
Then came Louis XIV. He conquered Lille in the 17th century. Vauban built a new fortified wall around the city. Half the Saint-André parish ended up outside the new walls.
The area outside the walls became known as “Faubourg Saint-André”. It gradually grew into a village. In 1789 it became a separate commune keeping the name Saint-André. Hence, to avoid confusion with other Saint-André’s they added “lez-Lille”.
Saint-André-lez-Lille has seen population changes over the years. In 2022 the population was 12909. The area covers just 3.16 square kilometers.
The arms of Saint-André-lez-Lille tell a story too. The upper part shows the door of Marquette abbey in gold. The lower part features three ermine capes on silver swords.
Saint-André-lez-Lille is twinned with Dormagen Germany. It is also twinned with St Mary’s Bay England and Wieliczka Poland.
Today Saint-André-lez-Lille is a vibrant part of the Lille metropolitan area. It boasts several notable sites. There is the Pavillon Louis XVI. The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Barrière. The Église Saint-Paul. And of course the Église Saint-André. You can also find the Abbaye Notre-Dame de la Plaine.
Don’t forget the Gare de Saint-André. And the Belvédère.
Saint-André-lez-Lille. A town with a name that tells a story of location and identity. A town that grew from humble beginnings into the community we see today. Saint-André-lez-Lille is a blend of history and modern life.