Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Gilles de la Boë's house, also known as the Bon Bouillon, is an emblematic example of the Flemish mannerist style. Built in 1636 in Lille, near the old port, it stands out for its stone and brick façade, decorated with fruit garlands and carved consoles. Its ground floor, surmounted by sandstone arcades, and its floor with alternate openings with niches, reflect the artistic influence of the era.

This house was built for Gilles de la Boé, trading in spices and fabrics, testifying to Lille's commercial dynamism in the 17th century. It also housed a estaminet named Au Bon Bouillon, which earned him his popular nickname. Ranked a historical monument in 1933, it illustrates both the civil architecture of the period and the Lille social life, marked by commerce and places of conviviality.

The building is located at the corner of Place Louise-de-Bettignies and Avenue du Peuple-Belge, in a historic area of Lille. Its protection as historical monuments underlines its heritage importance, both for its architectural style and for its role in local history. Decorative details, such as triangular or semi-circular pediments, make it a studied model of Mannerist art in Flanders.

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