Belfry, Lille

The belfry of the City Hall of Lille, inaugurated in 1932, is the highest civil belfry in Europe. The project of its construction results from the destruction of the old City Hall during the First World War.

It is adjacent to the City Hall and forms an architectural ensemble that is both massive for the City Hall and thin and slender for its belfry; the ensemble was designed by the architect Émile Dubuisson. For reasons of land availability and political choice, the building was built in the old Saint-Sauveur district, slightly off-center from the city center at the time. The belfry is made of red brick and concrete "carved stone style" mixing Art Deco and neo-Flemish architecture; the red brick meets the green of the plane trees that surround the building. This modern belfry does not contain any bells or carillon.

It culminates at 104 m height, thus affirming for the time the political and commercial power of the regional capital. The belfry of Lille is also the highest municipal building in France.

This site, classified as a Historic Monument and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is served by the Mairie de Lille metro station and its ascent is accessible to the public.

It should not be confused with the Neo-Flemish style belfry of the Chamber of Commerce, which is also emblematic of the city of Lille.