VILLA LISBETH AND PARK BOCQUET

After the Château Fanyau (the present City Hotel), Villa Lisbeth is undoubtedly the most remarkable residence in the town of Hellemmes. Property of the Briansiaux family (powerful family of shipowners, traders and bankers famous throughout the region) since the French Revolution, it is then inhabited by the Descamps spouses. Moreover, Elisabeth Bocquet of her maiden name, who will give her name to the Villa and her beautiful 5 ha park! But in 1920, the spouses surrendered their property to the Fives-Lille future Fives-Babcock Railway Company. A new chapter opens. The industrial age implies rethinking this space. Next to the Villa (which obviously houses the company's director and offices), 4 large houses are built to accommodate service managers (they are clearly visible thanks to their more bourgeois appearance and white façades). But it was also necessary to accommodate engineers and workshops. Then 19 houses were built for the first and 24 for the second. These houses will be brick and will be remembered for the mining habitat. But unlike the corons, the houses all overlook the beautiful park of the Villa. Thus, both managers and employees lived in this space mixing beautiful architecture and natural space. Today the Villa houses the City's Social action centre and all houses are inhabited by individuals, but the park is open to all. Take the time to sit down, first to take advantage of the shadow of the beautiful and large trees there and then to admire this architectural ensemble of a rich industrial history.