Place:Bondues, Nord, France

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source: Family History Library Catalog

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Bondues is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

Since 1997, Bondues has housed a Museum devoted to the Resistance of the Nord-Pas de Calais region. The Fort of Bondues, also known as Fort Lobau, was built near the confluence of the Marque and Deûle rivers, by General Séré de Rivières, from 1877 to 1880. It is an element of the chain of forts and fortifications constituting the defence system around Lille. It was the place of execution of 68 members of the resistance in 1943/4.

History

Bondues has a modest history. The remnants of local pottery and Roman tile are proof or its Gallo-Roman past. A few centuries later two medieval forts, the Fort du Bout and the Pot de Fer were built in order to repel barbarian invaders, as was needed fro a town situated on a migration route.

The fertile prairies around the town are split into fiefdoms that have their own manors. A few of these are called "Châteaux", and more recently "folies".

The Lobeau fort was built between between 1878 et 1882 and was part of the defensive belt that was supposed to protect Lille against a possible German attack. Ironically, the fort was used by the German troops during both World Wars.

Several noteworthy Bondues episodes : During the night of 11 September 1315, French King Louis X decides to leave his campsite on the Bondues hill, on the Ravennes side, and to flee the Flemish who have been harassing him for 2 weeks.

1566 is the year of the Dutch Revolt and the iconoclastic movement. During a religious meeting at the vert-bois farmhouse on May 25, the preaching priest is heckled. On July 2, the church is vandalized by zealofs of the new religion.

There are a few more tragic events such as the execution of 68 resistant fighter in the courtyard of Fort Lobeau. A monument was erected in 1965, followed by a statue in 1986, while the museum of the resistance, opened in 1997, commemorates the actions of the resistant fighters.

Starting in 1960, the Bondues village is invaded by a new, more affluent population who is leaving the city of Tourcoing to look for greener pastures. Bondues is now a bedroom community North of Lille, inhabited by professionals.

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