Lille is going green at full speed! After the opening of Saint-Sauveur, it's now the turn of Place du Maréchal Leclerc to completely change its look. What was once a large asphalt junction is now becoming a true urban park, designed for breathing, meeting up... and making it a little easier to survive the next heatwaves.
A new green lung between Vauban and Wazemmes
If you regularly pass by Catho, you’ve surely seen the construction progress over the past few months. Since October 2024, Place du Maréchal Leclerc has transformed dramatically. The result? A 6,800 m² public park, open to everyone, where nature is finally taking its place. The change is remarkable. Where asphalt used to cover 91 % of the surface, it now occupies only 48 %. In contrast, green spaces have skyrocketed from 9 % to 44 %, complemented by grassy pavers that allow the soil to breathe. And on the planting side, Lille didn’t hold back at all!
: 44 new trees and 144 shrubs are here to enrich this new green space.See this post on Instagram
Games, lounge chairs, and even a kiosk for shows
The park wasn't just designed to be pretty. The goal was also to make it a real living space. Here you'll find play areas for kids, sandboxes, plenty of benches, lounge chairs for reading in the sun (or the shade of the trees), and a kiosk that will host concerts, shows, or activities.quartier. Traffic has also been completely rethought. Cars now go around the park, leaving more space for pedestrians, cyclists, and gentle mobility. It's a way to make this area much more pleasant to live in every day.
A park designed to better withstand the summers of tomorrow
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this new space addresses an essential issue: fighting against heat islands. With its hundreds of plants, more permeable soil, and a focus on biodiversity, the Parc du Maréchal Leclerc has been designed to naturally cool the neighborhood while promoting wildlife and flora in the city. This transformation is part of the ongoing large-scale greening projects undertaken in recent years in Lille, following the Molinel street, Solférino street, Philippe Lebon square, and the brand new Saint-Sauveur park that was inaugurated a few weeks ago.
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Join us this Wednesday to discover the new park
The official inauguration will take place this Wednesday, July 8th starting at 5 PM, with the city's elected officials present. Residents are, of course, invited to come and explore this new space that promises to quickly become one of the most delightful spots between Vauban and Wazemmes. And here’s a fun little nod to future generations: a time capsule containing letters and testimonials from residents will be buried under the kiosk… to be opened in 200 years. A lovely way to leave a little piece of Lille today for the Lillois of tomorrow.