Saint-André

School holidays
Wednesday to Saturday : 1.30 pm - 5.30 pm (except 25/12 and 01/01)

Originally the building, built in the 17th century was a chapel, that of the Unshod Carmelites who had recently arrived in Lille. The work started in 1701 and the architect is Thomas-Joseph Gombert. The work, interrupted by the siege of Lille and the Succession Wars of Spain, continued under the direction of the nephew of the original architect, François-Joseph Gombert. The chapel was inaugurated in 1758 and is a remarkable example of the Jesuit style. This is an artistic movement born of the Counter-Reform, close to the baroque style and considered art as a missionary force serving the faith.

When the old parish church of St. André , against the ramparts , was destroyed in 1784, the chapel became the new parish church in which such important French people as the Cardinal Lienart, General Faidherbe and Charles de Gaulle whose birthplace is nearby, were baptised.

The church entrance is framed by two majestic carved representations of St. Peter and St. Paul. The church has three naves and no transept. Its interior decor is of unbelievable richness, because some of the elements come from other religious buildings in the town, whose furnishings were dispersed at the French Revolution. Numerous 17th and 18th century works can be admired, such as the extraordinary pulpit. The church of St. André was classified as a Historical Monument in 1949.