Le Rang du Beauregard (Beauregard Row), Lille

Beauregard Row (Le Rang du Beauregard) is an impressive example of 17th-century French architecture located on Theater Square (Place du Théâtre) in Lille and has been a protected historic monument since 1966. Constructed from 1685 to 1687 by contractor Simon Vollant based on designs by architect Julien Destrée, it consists of a line of 14 two-bay houses. These houses replaced earlier wooden structures that had been there since 1551. In 1674, local authorities mandated that new buildings must match the style of nearby structures, including the Old Stock Exchange, leading to a design featuring three floors and an attic.

Similar to the Old Stock Exchange, the base of the building features sandstone arches, above which are three stories made of stone and brick topped with a mansard roof. The design of the façade, with its simple lines and subtle color and pattern choices, blends traditional French classical styles introduced after Lille was taken over by Louis XIV in 1667 with local Flemish influences, creating a unique Franco-Lille style.

The area got its name, Beauregard, from a viewing platform built by the Duke of Burgundy, Philippe Le Bon, in 1425, which stood across from the site until it was taken down in 1651. There are differing stories about how the name Beauregard came to be, with the most accepted theory being that the term "belvedere" might not have been commonly used to mean 'beauregard' during the 15th century.

On the right side of the façade, you can still see about a dozen cannonballs embedded in the wall. These are relics from the 1792 siege of Lille when over 30,000 cannonballs were fired at the city. One notable cannonball, which struck the Morel brewery, has been humorously painted pink and shaped to look like a breast.