Mouvaux

Mouvaux is in Northern France, about two hours from Calais, in a region called Flanders, very near the Belgian border. A visitor will see signs of this connection in the architecture, in the use of Dutch as a language and in the food enjoyed by its inhabitants. It is also twinned with Halle in Belgium and Neukirchen-Vluyn in Germany.

Mouvaux forms a triangular link with Roubaix and Tourcoing, just north of Lille, and has a population of around 14,000, similar to Buckingham. Its name likely derives from the Latin multus (many) and vallis (valley). Established as a parish in 1242, it was ruled by the Counts of Flanders, Dukes of Burgundy, and later under Hapsburg, Spanish, and Austrian rule before becoming part of France in the late 18th century. The town endured numerous conflicts, with its most devastating in 1794 when Austrian forces set it ablaze. Only a few houses, known as “resegrees,” survived, one of which still stands at 75 Rue de Lille.

The industrial revolution brought coal mining and textiles to Mouvaux, but these industries have since disappeared. Today, it is a peaceful suburb of Lille with a strong sense of identity, rural activities like horticulture and farming, and green spaces. Facilities include state and private schools, the Marcel Fournier stadium, and more than 100 clubs and associations. Historic landmarks include St. Germain Church, dating from 1766 and rebuilt in 1881, the 1895 Les Francs Church, and the modern Sacre Coeur Church, consecrated in 1964. The 17th-century Chapelle des Malades, built in Jesuit style, is another highlight.

Two prominent features of Mouvaux are the Grand Boulevard and Hautmont Park. The Grand Boulevard, with its tramway linking Lille, Roubaix, and Tourcoing, was completed in 1909. Hautmont Park, gifted by a local industrialist, spans over 16 acres of scenic views and lakes, offering a tranquil retreat in the heart of the town.