Lille - Canonniers Sedentaires de Lille Museum

Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille Museum

The Lille Artillery Museum records the history of the Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille.

In 1482 Lille was under the control of the Hapsburg Empire when it obtained its first compliment of permanent artillery. A year later the Cannoniers of Lille became a volunteer fraternity dedicated to St Barbara, the Patron Saint of Artillery. The fraternity was dissolved during the French Revolution, which began in May 1789. In 1791 it was revived and incorporated into the National Guard. Revolutionary France declared War on the Hapsburg Monarchy, leading to a number of battles which resulted in the Austrians laying siege to Lille. The Austrians bombarded Lille, the Lille Gunners returning fire aiding the breaking of the siege.

Siege of Lille 1792

The bravery of the Gunners was recognised by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who decreed they should form a separate battalion as the Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille.

Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille.
Siege of Lille 1792

 The museum building was once a convent. Another of Napoleons decrees donated the building to the  Sedentary Gunners of Lille. The foundation of the brotherhood and the granting of separate battalion status is recorded on the archway gate to the museum.



Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille Museum
Insriptions

Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille
1792 - 1860

 

Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille

During the Franco-Prusian War 1870 the Battalion served as the artillery support for the defence of Lille. In 1875 the Battalion was incorporated into the French Territorial Army.

 

In the First World the Lille Gunners were deployed in the Boulogne and Dunkirk areas. Their role was to defend the harbours and the shipping lanes. Lille was in enemy hands.

 

In the Second World War, the Cannoniers were in an anti-aircraft role in the Lille-Roubaix-Tourcoing zone destroying several German aircraft before the Fall of France in June 1940.

 



Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille
Colour recording service in WW1 and WW2



 In 1983 the Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille became a reserve unit and since 1997 has no operational mission. The Battalion continues in a ceremonial role parading in municipal commemorations and on St Barbara's day.

 



Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille



 Musée des Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille

 

Musée des Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille
IJ and DM 105mm Pack Howitzer

Musée des Canonniers Sédentaires de Lille