Le Rang du Beauregard

Historic Building in Lille

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Velvet

Beauregard Row (Le Rang du Beauregard) is a striking ensemble of 17th-century architecture located on Place du Théâtre in Lille and has been listed as a historic monument since 1966. Built between 1685 and 1687 by contractor Simon Vollant, following designs by architect Julien Destrée, the row comprises 14 uniform two-bay houses. These replaced earlier timber-framed buildings dating back to 1551, after local authorities decreed in 1674 that new constructions must harmonize with neighboring structures such as the Old Stock Exchange, resulting in a cohesive urban aesthetic featuring three levels and an attic.

The design mirrors the architectural language of the period, with sandstone arcades on the ground floor and upper stories made from brick and stone, capped with classic mansard roofs. The restrained symmetry, decorative stonework, and balance of color draw from French classical traditions introduced under Louis XIV after Lille’s annexation in 1667, while also preserving elements of Flemish craftsmanship. The result is a distinctive Franco-Flemish blend that defines the architectural character of central Lille.

The name “Beauregard” is believed to reference a viewing platform once built by Philippe le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, in 1425, which stood opposite the site until its removal in 1651. While theories differ, it’s likely that the term ‘beauregard’—literally “beautiful view”—predates the more familiar use of ‘belvedere’. On the right side of the building’s façade, you can still spot a dozen cannonballs lodged in the masonry, remnants of the 1792 siege of Lille during which the city endured a bombardment of over 30,000 projectiles. One cannonball, which hit the old Morel brewery, has even been whimsically painted pink and shaped to resemble a breast, adding an unexpected touch of local humor to this historic row.

The Le Rang du Beauregard appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lille!

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