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Place du Général de Gaulle (Grand Place)

In 1907, following the fire at the theatre, the Lille architect Louis-Marie Cordonnier was given the task of building an Opera House in the style of those built by Charles Garnier in Paris and Monte Carlo.

Built just before the First World War, it was inaugurated first by the Germans in 1914, then a second time by the French in 1923.

On the pediment above the facade is Apollo surrounded by his muses; this is the work of sculptor Hippolyte Lefebvre. On the left, the allegory of Music is by Amédée Cordonnier, while on the right that of Tragedy is by Hector Lemaire. Reopened in December 2003 after six years of restoration, the interior contains a monumental staircase and a sumptuous décor in the Louis XVI style made of marble, stucco, bronze, gold and sparkling crystals.

The Italian-style auditorium is one of the last built in France and can hold 1136 spectators. 

Apart from scheduled performances, the Opera House may be visited during three “open day” sessions organised each season.

Founded in 1701 by Louis XIV, this institution had its seat in various places in the city until industrial growth required a new building to be erected. It is situated at the beginning of Boulevard Carnot, which was opened in 1909 by engineer Alfred Mongy to connect Lille to Roubaix and Tourcoing.

As with the Opera House, the chosen architect was Louis-Marie Cordonnier from Lille, who had just finished building the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Here, he used a neo-regionalist style inspired by the Beauregard row (1687) just opposite.

The belfry, 76 metres high, symbolises the power of the merchant cities.

In 1667 the Lille City Council wanted to create uniformity in new buildings to ensure that they were in harmony with existing buildings, particularly the “Vieille Bourse”. Rules were imposed on owners; new buildings had to be aligned with their neighbours and follow a standard blueprint design of three floors over a huge cellar with an attic above. Only stone and brick were authorised.

With its simple lines dominated by a vertical momentum and its discreet decoration of cartouches with angels’ heads, scrolls and cornucopias, the group of houses built in 1687 by Simon Vollant represents a synthesis of 17^th Century French style and local tradition. A few cannon balls can be seen stuck in the facades, a reminder of the siege of Lille by the Austrians in 1792.

Designed by the architect Emile Dubuisson, the town hall's size and the ingenious nature of its layout give it an impressive appearance. Built between 1924 and 1932 under Mayor Roger Salengro, it combines the heritage of local traditions (triangular gables, use of different colours, mullioned or basket-handle windows) and modernity (seen through the use of concrete for the structure and décor).

The building is centred around a 143 metres long gallery which is divided into three aisles by two series of columns with Art Nouveau motifs. More generally, the major aspects of the décor have Art Deco influences.

The staircases, corridors and council rooms are adorned with a fine collection of contemporary art. A fresco by the Icelandic artist Erro tells the eventful history of the city in comic strip form.

The belfry was built between 1929 and 1931 and inaugurated in 1932. It was the first building in France over 100 metres high to be made entirely of reinforced concrete. At 104 metres, it is the highest belfry in the region. Designed to be a true “Flanders skyscraper”, it is both a symbol of communal freedom and a landmark for the entire Lille Metropolitan area. At its base are sculptures of the giants who founded the city, Lydéric and Phinaert. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since September 2005, along with 22 other belfries in Northern France.

Visit the Belfry, more information: click here!

This Triumphal Arch was built on the ramparts (no longer in existence) from 1685 to 1692 to celebrate Louis XIV's conquest of Lille in 1667. It replaced the original Porte des Malades (Sick-Quarter Gate) which had formed a part of the city wall since the Middle Ages.

Simon Vollant, architect of the Citadel alongside Vauban, developed a sculpted décor which expressed the Sun King’s power and magnificence. At the top, Victory, sitting amongst trophies of arms and flags, places a crown of laurels on the head of Louis XIV, which is carved in a medallion. On the right, in a niche, is Hercules, who with his club symbolises strength. To the left is Mars, the god of war.

Alexandre Desrousseaux composed L’canchon dormoire (literally Lullaby) in Lille in 1853, and this lullaby became famous under the name “P’tit Quinquin”. Using the local dialect, it tells the touching story of a poor lace-maker from the Saint-Sauveur district who is trying to get her baby Narcisse to sleep.

The monument in the Square Foch is a recent replica of the original, which is on display at the Town Hall. It is the work of sculptor Eugène Desplechin (1902).