Destruction of the first court 1815 (≈ 1815)
Explosion of a nearby powder shop.
1827-1829
Construction by Victor Leplus
Construction by Victor Leplus 1827-1829 (≈ 1828)
Prototype italianisant inspired by Palladio.
1835-1840
Adding a floor for archives
Adding a floor for archives 1835-1840 (≈ 1838)
Changes by Leplus.
1851-1853
Redevelopment by Jules Fiévet
Redevelopment by Jules Fiévet 1851-1853 (≈ 1852)
Space Division and Chamber added.
Années 1930
Comfort work
Comfort work Années 1930 (≈ 1930)
Reinforcement of floors and frame.
2007
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2007 (≈ 2007)
Front and audience protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the old courthouse with its peristyle, the entrance hall, the courtroom with its decors and the blue stone floor of the ground floor spaces (Box AH 73): inscription by decree of 22 November 2007
Key figures
Victor Leplus - Architect
Palace designer (1827-1829), inspired by Palladio.
Jules Fiévet - Architect
Redesign the building in 1851-1853.
Pierre-Louis Faloci - Architect
Author of the new palace (2005-2006).
Origin and history
The courthouse of Avesnes-sur-Helpe is built on a site overlooking the lower city, after the destruction in 1815 of the first court, victim of an explosion. The architect Victor Leplus, inspired by Palladio, designs between 1827 and 1829 a T-plan building, combining public spaces (audience room, vestibule) and back office. Its italianist style, marked by a doric column portico, breaks with local traditions.
Between 1835 and 1840 Leplus added a storey for archives and lowered the ceiling of the audience hall in 1837 to improve acoustics. In 1851, in the face of malfunctions, Jules Fiévet remodeled the interior: the room for the lost is divided, a hemicycle is installed in the courtroom, and a stairwell is added. The work was completed in 1853.
In the 20th century, structural reinforcements were made in the 1930s (floors of the attic, frame), followed by enlargements after 1945. The building, classified as Historical Monument in 2007 for its facades, peristyle and audience hall, embodies a synthesis between architectural theory and functional innovation. A new courthouse, designed by Pierre-Louis Faloci, replaced it in 2007 on another site.
The former palace, prototype of the Lille courthouse (destroyed in 1963), illustrates the evolution of judicial needs and architectural standards from the 19th to the 20th century. Its rational plan, clearly separating public and private spaces, reflects a desire for institutional clarity and prestige.
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