The Vauban Garden was created in the mid-19th century, in 1865. At that time, the city of Lille was expanding, and this was an opportunity for the city to create new green spaces, places for walking where the people of Lille could enjoy nature. In this garden, the bourgeoisie liked to show off, and the workers, from the industrial districts, enjoyed breathing the fresh air, far from the factories.
First called the Empress Eugenie Park, the Vauban Garden took its current name in 1870. It became a listed site in 1991.
By following the route opposite, take the garden's curving paths, cross its rolling lawns, and discover this romantic place inspired by English gardens.
For the creation of this public garden, the City of Lille commissioned the Chief Gardener of Paris. He created and landscaped numerous gardens for the capital, such as the Luxembourg Gardens and the Buttes-Chaumont Park. This highly renowned landscape gardener has worked
for other cities in France: Roubaix (Barbieux Park), Marseille, Cambrai, and abroad: Italy, Austria, and Egypt.
At the bottom of the garden lies a cave from which a waterfall flows, feeding the ponds. Like the river, this cave is not natural: it was built of reinforced concrete and stone rubble.
Over time, the accumulation of limestone dissolved in the water and trapped by plants (mosses) has revealed new rock, forming large blocks on the sides of the cave.