Place Gilleson, Public square in Lille, France
Place Gilleson is an oval public square in the Vieux-Lille historic district, occupying a large open area in the heart of the old town. The space is framed by historic buildings and serves as a hub connecting several main streets.
The square occupies the site of a medieval castle mound first documented in 1066. Houses later built by Canon Robert Gilleson gave the place its name.
The name comes from Robert Gilleson, a canon of the Saint-Pierre collegiate church who in the 17th century had houses built around a courtyard at the foot of the mound, facing today's cathedral. That courtyard, demolished after 1930, gave the square its name.
The square is centrally located in the Vieux-Lille district and easily accessible on foot from multiple directions. Cafes and shops line the surrounding area, making it a convenient spot to pause and explore nearby streets.
The 1801 leisure complex on the hill included an English garden, a theatre, a café, a library and baths. It declined after brief enthusiasm, and the abandoned butte was levelled in 1848 by workers of the national workshops.
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