Descriptif
The Serge-Charles racecourse is a racecourse located in Marcq-en-Barœul in the Nord department. It is the only active horse racing field in the department. It is also known under the name of the Croisé-Laroche hippodrome or under its old name hippodrome des Flandres.
History information
Designed in 1930 by the architect Jean Papet on a 55-hectare plot of land in the middle of the countryside, its construction diverted the boulevard Clemenceau, which was originally intended to join the crossroads of Croisé-Laroche.
Designed in 1930 by the architect Jean Papet1 on a 55-hectare plot of land in the middle of the countryside, its construction diverted the boulevard Clemenceau, which was originally intended to join the crossroads of Croisé-Laroche.
The racecourse was inaugurated on March 15, 1931, in the presence of an innumerable crowd. Several names were considered, such as Lille Marcq-en-Barœul racecourse or Trois Villes racecourse - because located in the center of the triangle Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing. It finally took the name of "Hippodrome des Flandres" and was from the beginning one of the most active racecourses in France and one of the best equipped in France.
In 1935 and 1936, the racecourse hosted the arrival of the Paris-Roubaix.
After having suffered the war years, it was the place where General de Gaulle came in June 29, 1947 to launch the activities of the Rassemblement du peuple français in the North. It resumed its activity in the early 1950s. Over time, it had lost some of its superb allure, but has always been a reference for the quality of the events held there.
The important urbanization of Marcq-en-Barœul reduced it to a little more than 30 hectares, but made it one of the most beautiful green spaces of the agglomeration. Located in the heart of the Lille metropolis, it has attracted the covetousness of investors. In order to keep this exceptional space, the city of Marcq-en-Barœul bought it in 1990.
Its project was ambitious: to make it one of the high places of the Metropolis where multiple activities can be developed. Races, of course, but also various sports (soccer, golf, rugby, horseback riding, jogging) and numerous events such as trade shows, conventions reserved for companies or open to the general public.
The renovation began in 1995 with the creation of new boxes and the "Urban Park". It continued in 1996 with the renovation of the grandstand building, and in particular the restaurant, the club-races and the "betting hall", and was completed in 2000 with the installation of lighting for the racetracks, one of the most beautiful achievements in France.
Co-funded by the city of Marcq-en-Barœul, Europe via the FEDER, the races and the region, the "new" racecourse benefits from modern, spacious and comfortable facilities easily adaptable to a wide variety of events.
It was renamed by the city on September 12, 2004 Serge-Charles racecourse, in homage to the former mayor of Marcq-en-Barœul.