Contagion néo-gothique et urbanisme dans les villes septentrionales au XIXe siècle.

Abstract

Neo-Gothic Contagion and Urban Planning in the Towns of Northern France in the XIXth Century. In the course of the XIXth century, certain voices exalt an atmosphere where architectural conceptions, the rehabilitation of craftmanship and the way of life are inspired by a more or less idealized XIIIth century. In some large towns of northern France, Valenciennes, Douai, Roubaix, Lille, etc., architects and some officials of urban organization, attempt to develop the most ideal monumental forms inside adapted allotments in order to offer a protected environment to exemplary individuals or human groups. They are influenced by the aedilitary writings and programmes, Utopian or in progress, of some characters who work in a neo-mediaeval environment, notably in Belgium and in Britain. The case of the Vauban District is particularly interesting. From 1875 to 1914, it develops neo-gothic forms by contaminating successively the seats of prestigious institutions, colleges, private houses, and even factories.