Quais du Wault

Before 1750, Lille had 2 quays on the Deûle river, small ports for the exchange of goods. The current Quai du Wault was known as the Petit Rivage (Small shore) on the Haute Deûle (High Deûle) and the other as the Grand Rivage (big shore)on the Basse Deûle (low Deûle) on the other side of the city. However, when Lille was enlarged and the flow of the Deûle reduced, the harbours were abandoned in favour of the modern Vauban Harbour, and the Wault quays became the enclosed basin you can see today. Now home to hotels and beautiful houses, it is a bucolic walk through well-kept spaces that are emblematic of old Lille. In the evenings, it’s also a popular spot for students to have a drink and watch the last rays of the sun. It’s also a good place to photograph typical Flemish houses reflected in the water on the quays of the Wault.