Belfries of Belgium and France

a) Construction project for a covered market for fresh produce at the foot of the Béthune Belfry (France), located in the buffer zone, that threatens the visual integrity of the Belfry and its surroundings;

b) Construction of an underground parking under the Grand Place of the Belfry.

An architectural competition was launched at the beginning of 2005 by the City of Béthune for the construction of a permanent covered market for fresh produce. In July 2005, the jury selected a project that foresaw a building of 39 m by 30 m and no higher than 5.7 m. The covered market would be just within 3 m of the base of the Belfry. The materials envisaged are steel, aluminium and glass. On 21 February 2008, the State Party provided information in response to Decision 31 COM 7B.108:

Improvement of legislation:

The State Party’s services are working towards the improvement of the Heritage Code to include a specific legal provision concerning properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and their buffer zone. This legal provision has not yet been adopted. A Ministry of Culture circular of 28 November 2007 sent to concerned regional authorities (local representatives, Ministry services) contained a temporary provision.

Visual Impact Evaluation of the covered market, architectural perspective:

The specifications indicated that particular attention be accorded to the respect for outstanding universal value of the Belfry. The project was notably selected for this reason. The architectural treatment of the building is intentionally totally modern in order to draw a clear distinction between the Belfry heritage and the new covered market. It is, therefore, low in height with horizontal interest, and leaves a fairly clear view of the Belfry. Furthermore, the construction will be reversible as it is a building placed at ground level.

Visual Impact Evaluation of the covered market, historical perspective:

The tradition of covered markets associated with the belfries is found in Béthune. A cloth market existed from the 14th to the 17th century in Béthune. Rectangular in shape, it surrounded the three sides at the base of the Belfry. It was replaced by boutiques up until their destruction during the First World War. The Belfry has never been isolated on the side where the present project is destined to be. The architectural project follows very closely the place of the historic market, except that it is separated from the Belfry.

Underground parking :

It does not visually affect the Belfry. It will have an underground link to the covered market. Its two entrances are located on two nearby streets and do not give directly onto the Grand Place. Below ground, in the immediate vicinity of the Belfry, the area is irreversibly modified and changed with respect to the old underground quarries and archaeological vestiges linked to the urban history and its surrounding environment.

All the French State Party authorities have approved the architectural and urban project for the covered market and parking. The new covered market – the structure of which appears to be reversible according to the State Party report – covers practically the same area as the ancient cloth market. The integrity of use is respected, and the project appears to satisfactorily respond to the specifications requiring respectful treatment of the visual integrity and authenticity of the property. The covered market relives a tradition of commercial enterprise at the foot of the Belfry, a tradition dating back over long years of history.