From the Roubaix Gate, tourists may go to the East Cemetery, where Jacquet and Trulin are buried
(see p. [24]).
THE OLD TOWN
Chief Buildings: The Church of Our Lady of the Vine; Comtesse Hospital, Law Courts, Church of St. Magdalene, Hôtel des Canonniers, Roubaix Gate.
Starting from the Grande Place, cross the Place du Théâtre and take the Rue de la Grande Chaussée, on the left of the Nouvelle Bourse: 13th and 14th century houses at Nos. 11, 14, 15, 42 and 52. On the right take the Rue des Chats Bossus and Place du Lion d'or, leave the Place St. Martin on the right, and take the Rue de la Monnaie on the left. At No. 31 in this street, opens a narrow passage leading to the Church of Our Lady of the Vine, which is being erected on the site of the Castle of Buc. When finished, it will be one of the largest of modern Gothic churches. The inhabitants of Lille have already surnamed it "the Cathedral." Building was begun in 1855, from plans by the English architects Clutton and Burges, revised by the Jesuit, Arthur Martin. 13th century in style, the choir, over crypt, is only half-finished, while the remainder of the edifice has not yet been begun.
In the chapel of the apse, over the altar, is a statue of Our Lady of the Vine, venerated since the 13th century as the Patron Saint of the town. In a chapel on the left are plans and a model in relief of the finished basilica.
Return to the Rue de la Monnaie, at No. 32 of which is the Comtesse Hospital.
The Comtesse Hospital was founded in 1243 by Countess Jeanne de Flandre; the entrance dates from 1649, and opens on to a curious vaulted passage. A 15th century gable faces the Rue Comtesse.
Inside are paintings by Arnould de Vuez and Wamps. The chapel contains fine timber-work vaulting and a commemorative tablet inscribed with the names of the French officers who died in this hospital of wounds received at the Battle of Fontenoy.
Follow the Rue de la Monnaie as far as the Place du Concert. Turn to the right as far as the Canal de la Basse Deule, by the side of which is the Colonnade of the Law Courts (1837) (photo below).