Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The military hotel of Les Bleuets is named after an orphanage founded in 1489 as the house of La Grange, named after its founder. From 1660 he was nicknamed Blueberries because of the blue outfits worn by the children welcomed. This place, originally dedicated to the reception of orphans, reflected medieval and modern charitable practices in the Lille region, where religious or secular institutions played a central role in social assistance.

In the 18th century, the building experienced several successive assignments, marking its adaptation to the changing needs of the city. In 1740, a punch office, a military hospital in 1752, and a municipal college between 1781 and 1791, were established. These transformations illustrate the versatility of urban buildings in Lille, often reinvested according to political or military priorities, notably under the Ancien Régime and during the French Revolution.

In 1791, the hotel became a military effects store, and again a college between 1845 and 1852, and was finally dedicated to sustainable military use. Today, it is home to the Army Information and Recruitment Centre (CIRFA). Its inscription in the historic monuments in 1926, on the facade and roof, highlights the heritage value of its architecture, a witness to the functional and urban metamorphoses of Lille.

The location of the hotel, Place aux Bleuets, and its proximity to Lille-Flandres station make it an anchor in the historic and contemporary landscape of the city. Its history also reflects the evolution of educational, health and military policies in France, from medieval charitable initiatives to modern national defence structures.

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