A university that almost never came to be
Before becoming a must-visit spot in the Vauban district, la Catho was actually a bit of a wild idea. In 1853, a group of men driven by their Catholic faith dreamed of creating a private university to enrich the academic landscape of Lille. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t an easy journey. It took until May 7, 1875 for the Pope himself to give his blessing and for the project to officially come to life in January 1877. Back then, students studied law, letters, and sciences, before medicine and theology joined the curriculum.
A setting worthy of a wizarding film
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If the expression “Northern Hogwarts” fits Catho so well, it’s because its architecture is truly impressive. Right from the beginning, the founders wanted a campus that would make a statement. Their inspiration? The Anglo-Saxon universities, with brick buildings and towers reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge. The Belgian architect Baron Béthune envisioned an ultra-ambitious project in 1877, but it was too costly for its time. In the end, it was Louis Dutouquet who took over with a more modest version… yet still just as majestic.
Even today, with the Chapel of Saint Joseph featuring spectacular stained glass, the long vaulted corridors, and the famous Federation Tower, Catho gives off an atmosphere that’s a blend of a monastery and a fantasy film set.
A university, but also a true institution
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Contrary to appearances, the Catholic University of Lille is not just a vintage-style campus. It’s a federation that includes around twenty establishments, including ICAM, ESPOL, ESTICE, and HEI. In other words, it’s a real little university village that stretches across several streets in the Vauban neighborhood.
But the Catholic University is also a pioneer in educational innovation. It was the first campus to experiment with zero-carbon campus, and it was also the first French university to introduce the concept of training for ecological and societal transition.
A vibrant campus… and not just for students
The Catholic University of Lille goes beyond being just a place of study; it’s also a cultural hub buzzing with activity. Between conferences, concerts, and exhibitions, the university...opens regularly to the general public. By the way, on Wednesday, February 27, the Creative Campus is hosting a candlelit concert at the Atrium FGES. What's on the program? The most beautiful love songs reinterpreted in a piano-voice style by students and a professional pianist, Ludo Depret. A free evening, but with limited seats, so it's best to reserve quickly.
Address: 60 Bd Vauban, 59800 Lille, France
