LACE TOWNS FRANCE
During the nineteenth century the machine-made lace industry developed, in particular in the midlands of England and the northeast of France. The machines were initially set up in houses and small buildings in villages and towns around Nottingham and Leicester in England and Calais and Lille in France. Later they were established in greater numbers in purpose-built factories.
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In Calais during the early years of the 19th century, the lace machines and the workers moved out of the town within the confines of the fortified walls and into the open village of St Pierre-lès-Calais to the south. With an influx of people needing buildings for their machines and in which to live, the village began to grow and before the upheavals of 1848 it is this developing village of St Pierre-lès-Calais as the lacemakers knew it .
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Calais from the harbour
CALAIS
Old Calais - These views of Calais and St Pierre-lès-Calais were made around 1900.
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The postcards of Calais and St Pierre are available to us due to the generosity of Gillian Kelly.
If you have an appropriate image of a building, village or town where your lacemaking ancestors lived or worked, please contact us.
The Old Town - Courgain Maritime
Quai de la Colonne looking south towards the lighthouse
The Old Town
Looking north from Tour du Guet over Place d'Armes towards the boat harbour, Fort Risban and the English Channel.
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The Courgain Maritime is far right.
Tour du Guet is a 16th century watch tower.
The Old Town
Looking north towards the original casino located on the beach dunes
Place d' Armes
The old town looking north east towards the lighthouse built 1848
The Old Town
Looking northwest from Notre Dame over Place d'Armes (centre) towards the original casino located on the beach dunes
Tour du Guet is on the left of the view.
The Old Town
Rue de la Citadelle now named rue d'Andre Gershel looking east towards Place d'Armes. Tour du Guet is at the rear with the now demolished Hotel de Ville at the end of the street.
Porte Royale c1830
Gate into the fortified town
The Old Town
Rue Royale
The Old Town
Rue Royale
The Old Town
Rue des Thermes
The Old Town
Rue du Havre looking north from Place d'Armes
St Pierre-lès-Calais
Boulevard Lafayette looking southeast from intersection with Boulevard Jacquard
St Pierre-lès-Calais
Boulevard Jacquard looking north
from intersection with Boulevard Lafayette
St Pierre Church c1830s
Cottage
Corner rue Vauban and Quai du Commerce
Cottage today
St Pierre-lès-Calais
Lace workers cottages