Sart-Babylone

“A duel at dawn,” whispered the wind, rustling through the trees of Sart-Babylone. “Over a stolen kiss from the baker’s daughter.” Sart-Babylone. A district of whispers and shadows, secrets hidden beneath the grandeur of its past. Here, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the echoes of history mingle with the hum of modern life. Sart-Babylone is a fascinating place. Its name itself speaks of duality. “Sart,” a tribute to the tireless forest clearers who expanded the Barœul forest clearing in the 12th century. And “Babylone,” a nod to a mischievous cabaret in 18th-century Flers-lez-Lille. The district is a blend of two distinct personalities. There’s the bourgeois elegance along the grand Boulevard and Rue Jean Jaurès. This is where Etienne Chatiliez filmed scenes for “Life Is a Long Quiet River.” Then there’s the more working-class soul of Babylone, a ZUP, or Priority Urban Zone from the 1960s. It has seen significant revitalization and now stands proud. Sart-Babylone holds some remarkable treasures. The Château du Sart, an 18th-century manor, stands as a testament to a bygone era. It houses the clubhouse for the Sart Golf Course, an 18-hole green expanse. Nearby, the Sacré-Cœur church, the largest in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, reaches towards the heavens, a beacon of faith built entirely of brick. The former Pasteur School on Rue de Babylone has been transformed into a museum. It’s a nostalgic journey back to the classrooms of yesteryear, showcasing the collection of Mr. Notardonato, the school’s last headmaster. Just across the street, the Compagnons du Devoir, a prestigious guild of craftsmen, continues the tradition of training some of France’s finest artisans. Tucked away on Rue de Babylone is the charming Descamps Farm, one of the smallest of the eighty farmhouses that once dotted Villeneuve-d’Ascq. Sart-Babylone whispers stories of a stolen past. From the grandeur of the Château to the quiet industry of the Compagnons du Devoir, Sart-Babylone offers a glimpse into the soul of Villeneuve-d’Ascq.