In Lille, a perspective of the renovated Palais Rameau, which is scheduled to open in September 2023, -

Junia

  • The Horticultural Society of the North is in the process of “temporary” eviction from its headquarters at the Palais Rameau, in Lille.

  • The historical association is in disagreement on the future terms of occupation of the premises.

  • The Palais Rameau will host an educational and research center focusing on the agriculture of the future.

Evicted from a place occupied for 140 years.

The historic Horticultural Society of the North, known for its traditional flower market at the Grand-Place in Lille, organized since 1829, received a visit from the bailiffs this Tuesday.

The association was “temporarily” fired by the Lille town hall from its headquarters in the Palais Rameau, which has nevertheless housed it since 1880.

Why did the town hall take such a decision?

Because neither the Horticultural Society, nor the city, owner, nor the future occupant of the Palais Rameau, seem to have come to an agreement on the conditions under which the association could continue to occupy the premises.

Educational center on urban agriculture

In 2018, the Lille town hall had, in fact, given the green light to a project led by Junia, a research center from three engineering schools of the Catholic University (HEI, ISEN and ISA), in order to install an educational center on 21st century urban agriculture.

A 25-year emphyteutic lease was therefore signed, with the counterpart of Junia taking charge of the 20 million euros for the renovation of the historic monument which was falling into disuse.

"We have always made sure that the Horticultural Society of the North is associated with the reflection, pleads the deputy mayor of Lille, Stanislas Dendievel.

From the outset, it was planned that she would be able to vacate the premises to let the work be carried out ”.

"False, retorts the president of the association, the work did not concern the premises occupied by the association".

Deaf dialogue

During a press point on the project on Friday, the research center, Junia, recalled that it has always committed to welcoming the association "identically" once the work is completed.

Except that for the president of the association, this implies not only free admission, but "to be able to access, as today, the premises outside office hours", the members being volunteers.

What apparently does not specify the occupancy agreement which was drafted by Junia.

In a letter dated September 10, the North Horticultural Society nevertheless issued "a counter-proposal", in particular to "keep an independent entrance", which the deputy mayor considers today as "an uncompromising refusal. ".

Beyond this dialogue of the deaf, the problem is historical: the building was built by Charles Rameau for the Horticultural Society, thanks to a donation to the city of Lille.

Writings are there to prove it.

Except that for the town hall, there is no notarial writing.

Goods stored at the expense of the town hall

In any case, the negotiations were brought to a halt.

"The project having to enter its concrete phase, we had no other choice but to seize the administrative court which then ordered an interim deportation, at the beginning of January", continues Stanislas Dendievel.

The actual expulsion therefore began.

The town hall has assured that all of the Company's property will be stored in a furniture repository during the work, at its expense.

While waiting for the outcome of this affair.

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  • Lille

  • Flowers

  • Expulsion

  • Agriculture

  • Heritage