Place du Général-de-Gaulle (Lille)

The Place du Général-de-Gaulle is an urban public space situated in the commune of Lille, Hauts-de-France region. It is the town's historic main square. It has a grand-place style, which is typical of many cities in the former Netherlands. Until the 21st century, the square was considered to be part of the Forum mentioned in the 1066 foundation act of the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre. It is believed to have originated in the 14th century when the town's aldermen decided to turn it into a market. The Deûle was canalized, the ground gradually raised by embankments, then paved to create a market square. In the 17th century, the construction of the Vieille Bourse divided the square into the Grand-Place and the Petite-Place (now the Place du Théâtre). After the liberation of Lille during World War II, the square was renamed in honor of Charles de Gaulle.