Initial construction Moyen Âge (≈ 1125)
First medieval belfry destroyed by Louis XI
1510
Medieval reconstruction
Medieval reconstruction 1510 (≈ 1510)
Rebuilt after destruction by Louis XI
1724
Integration into City Hall
Integration into City Hall 1724 (≈ 1724)
Work of the aldermen
1918
Destruction during the Great War
Destruction during the Great War 1918 (≈ 1918)
Shaved town hall and belfry
1925-1934
Reconstruction by Cordonnier
Reconstruction by Cordonnier 1925-1934 (≈ 1930)
Neo-Flamand style, inaugurated in 1934
2002
Historical monuments
Historical monuments 2002 (≈ 2002)
Official site registration
2005
UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage 2005 (≈ 2005)
Among 23 French-Belgian belfries
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
For exterior parts: the belfry, facades and roofs on street; for the interior parts: the main staircase (including the ramp and the roof) , the service corridor on the first floor, the opening rooms on the first floor (including their decoration): the municipal council hall, the honorary salon, the festive and wedding hall, the commission room (Box BH 12): registration by order of 4 March 2002
Key figures
Louis XI - King of France
Ordained the initial destruction
Louis Marie Cordonnier - Architect
Reconstructs the Belfry (1925-1934)
Origin and history
The belfry of Armentières, integrated into the town hall, has its origins in the Middle Ages. First destroyed on the orders of Louis XI, it was rebuilt in 1510 and then incorporated into the town hall in 1724 after work carried out by the aldermen. A symbol of power and prosperity, he embodied urban identity until its destruction in 1918 during the First World War.
The reconstruction of the belfry and town hall was entrusted to architect Louis Marie Cordonnier from 1925 onwards. The new building, inaugurated in 1934 after nine years of construction, adopts a neo-flammand style combining white stone and brick. With a height of 67 metres, it offers a panoramic view up to 30 km and houses a carillon of 11 bells, one of which is 1,220 kg sounding when Madelon.
Ranked a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 among 23 Franco-Belgian belfries, it has also been listed as a historical monument since 2002. His image, used in 2013 for an Oasis advertisement, bears witness to his cultural anchor. The belfry embodies the city's resilience, combining medieval heritage and modern reconstruction.
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