THE CRYPT OF THE FORMER COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF SAINT-PIERRE

The former courthouse in Lille, high between 1831 and 1839 by the architect Victor Leplus, had some sides of the old ancient palace. Yet it was destroyed in 1963 and replaced by the current building in modernity… and strongly contested! During the work, the architects make an astonishing discovery. Under the courthouse lies… the crypt of the former College Saint-Pierre, whose construction dates back to the th century. Unfortunately, like many religious buildings, the College undergoes the horrors of the Revolution and will be sold then destroyed. Thus, the original building only remains the crypt or rather pieces of this crypt. During its discovery, the crypt did not undergo any preservation measures and found itself trapped in the concrete. Yet it is the oldest witness of the city's origins. The Renaissance Association of the Lille Old has tried to call for the preservation of this place… but these calls seem to have remained unanswered. Meanwhile, the curious can always see the fragments of this crypt during the Days of Heritage, the unique moment when the visits are allowed.