Lille Before and During the War

by Pneu Michelin

A little further on, at the corner of the Rue des Canonniers and the Rue de Roubaix is the old Hôtel d'Aigremont, dating from the 18th century.

Turning to the left into the Rue de Roubaix, the tourist comes out in front of the Roubaix Gate.

THE ROUBAIX GATE.

ROUBAIX GATE.

As in the case of the Tournai Gate (p. [34]), the retreating Germans blew up the bridge over the moat, seen on p. [57] (before) and above (after) the explosion. A temporary road replaces the Bridge.

ROUBAIX GATE

The Roubaix or St. Maurice Gate dates from about 1620, and was erected from the plans of Jean de Mesre, Jean Petit and Jean Fayet. Of its three entrances, the middle one only is ancient. Above each entrance is carved a coat of arms. The one in the centre, forming a tympanum, is between two pilasters supporting a triangular pediment. At the top is a row of battlements, with a stone niche surmounted by a broken pediment in the centre. The niche contains the statue of a woman.