Underground heritage
The underground quarries of Lezennes form a rich historical, cultural and natural heritage with a history spanning almost a thousand years. This is where Lezennes stone was quarried.
This underground environment includes Lac Bleu, a lake in the Lezennes quarries. It was formed when groundwater flooded some of the underground galleries. Stalactites also form in the galleries, as water droplets deposit calcite from the ceiling.
The desire to rent a holiday apartment in Lezennes is part of individual travel planning.
Stone and urban history
The importance of Lezennes stone extends beyond the town: it was used for numerous buildings in Lille. These include the citadel, the Palais Rihour, the Hospice Comtesse, the Vieille Bourse and the Porte de Paris.
History
Isidore Court'Orelle is associated with the history of the quarry. He was a young quarry worker who learned to extract white stone in the Catichen, the galleries typical of the region. In 2000, the town of Lezennes created its own giant figure, Isidore Court'Orelle.
Around 1860, Isidore Court'Orelle cultivated Barbe de capucin, a winter salad, in abandoned galleries. The underground quarries of Lezennes were also used to grow Barbe de capucin and mushrooms.
Events
Since 1999, the Lezennes municipal administration and its Comité de la Pierre have organised quarry tours as part of the Journées du Patrimoine.
In 2026, the “Fête de la Pierre – Braderie – Ducasse” is scheduled to take place in Lezennes with the municipality and Les Amis d’Isidore; the specific arrangements are subject to programme planning.
In 2026, the “Journées Européennes du Patrimoine” are scheduled to take place in Lezennes on the 18th, 19th and 20th with the municipality and the Comité de la Pierre. The event on the 18th is intended for school students, while the arrangements for the following two days are subject to programme planning.
More local pages: Bondues, Ghyvelde, Bas-Lieu, Taisnières-en-Thiérache, Fontaine-Notre-Dame, Solre-le-Château, Ferrière-La-Petite, Fourmies.
