Porte de Roubaix, Lille Travel Guide

The Porte de Roubaix, or Porte Saint-Maurice, is a historic city gate that was part of Lille's old fortifications. Constructed between 1617 and 1622, during the Spanish Netherlands period, it served as a defensive structure. The gate replaced the older Porte des Reignaux.Inaugurated in 1625, the Porte de Roubaix has undergone several modifications throughout its history. In 1875, two lateral arches were added to accommodate the tramway. The gate was completely renovated for the Lille 2004 cultural event. The gate's interior facade features intricately crafted polychrome brickwork and stone-framed windows, while its exterior showcases a crenellated cornice and grooves for the former drawbridge mechanism.Historically, the Porte de Roubaix was an important entry point to the city. In 1792, an Austrian major presented the Duke of Saxe-Teschen's ultimatum at the gate, demanding the city's surrender. Although it once carried significant traffic, the opening of Boulevard Carnot in 1909 reduced its importance as a thoroughfare. In the mid-1990s, it was closed to vehicular traffic but remains open to pedestrians, providing access to Parc Henri Matisse and the Euralille district. Today, a promenade allows visitors to view the gate from both the city and countryside perspectives.