Parc Jean-Baptiste Lebas, Urban park in central Lille, France.
Parc Jean-Baptiste Lebas is a park laid out from 2004 along the centre of Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas in Lille. A pedestrian walkway replaces the former central roadway, with lawns on the planted strips. The flat, paved area is made of light grey and tan rectangular stones in a grid, bordered by curving flower beds of red, white and yellow tulips.
The boulevard was created in 1865 alongside the Saint-Sauveur station, largely on land from fortifications dismantled after Lille annexed Moulins, Wazemmes, Esquermes, Fives and Saint-Maurice in 1858. A planned hexagonal square with radiating avenues, drawn by city architect Émile Vandenbergh in 1859, was abandoned when the 19-hectare freight station was decided in 1862; the wide boulevard was partial compensation. Renamed after Roubaix mayor Jean-Baptiste Lebas in 1947, it was converted into a park from 2004, replacing the central roadway with a pedestrian walkway and lawns.
The park and boulevard honour Jean-Baptiste Lebas, a former mayor of Roubaix. Before the park was laid out, the whole surface hosted Lille's annual braderie, the giant flea market. The central roadway was replaced by a pedestrian walkway, while the two side carriageways still carry traffic.
The park is accessible via Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas, with Metro line 2 stopping at Lille Grand Palais and bus service nearby. Visitors should stick to marked pathways and check opening hours, which may vary with the seasons.
Before the park was laid out in 2004, the whole width of the boulevard hosted Lille's annual braderie, the vast street market held each year. The central roadway of about four lanes, flanked by chestnut-planted strips with benches and pétanque courts, became the pedestrian walkway and lawns.
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