Temple maçonnique de Lille, Masonic temple in Vieux-Lille, France
The temple in Vieux-Lille is a red brick building that combines Late Egyptian and neoclassical design elements. The facade displays a goddess figure on a pyramid motif, while the interior features two ceremonial spaces: a smaller chamber for about 60 people and a larger Egyptian-style hall designed for about 120 members.
Architect Albert Baert designed this building in 1901 as a temple for the Masonic movement. The French government recognized the structure as a protected historical monument in 1988.
The temple holds meaning for Freemasons as a gathering place rooted in 19th-century ideals of enlightenment and fellowship. Its architecture and interior design express the values of the fraternity through symbols and spatial arrangements that visitors can observe during special access periods.
The building sits on Rue Thiers in central Lille within the historic old town. Access is typically limited, but occasional guided tours or special open days allow visitors to view the interior spaces.
During World War II, the building was seized and its furnishings were stripped away, yet the venerable master's chair survived and was later featured in the 1943 film Forces Occultes. This remarkable recovery shows how certain objects preserved the memory of the temple through turbulent times.
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