Tourcoing. What is this billodrome that was inaugurated in the Burgundy district?

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Urban renovation in Tourcoing (North) advances in theand district of Burgundy, and not just on the housing side. A large central hall was inaugurated with shops and services. Transitional installations also come to life, like un « billodrome », an innovative fun hub. We’ll explain what it involves, but it’s already making the children happy!

Ball track, small car circuit, wicker tunnel

The round and white central hall of the Burgundy district was inaugurated in September 2024. Around it, construction equipment continues its action. The Jacques Chirac school is being built, housing is being renovated, and temporary play facilities are being created in the surrounding green spaces.

Among them, a billodrome was inaugurated on December 18, 2024. But what is it? On a green space just in front of the hall, it is made up of 4 parts. There we find:

• a custom-designed marble track, a sort of wooden circuit a few centimeters from the ground;
• an elevated small car circuit;
• a wicker tunnel;
• a picnic table for parents

Blandine Lebourg, head of the innovations and usage control center of Ville Renouvelée, which is the developer of the district, explains the approach: “We thought about installations for children with the association of architects and designers Seed based in Lille. The idea was to develop an embankment with old-fashioned games with an innovative side for a reasonable budget.”

Playing marbles and small cars with special tracks, that’s the simple and effective idea! “We have already seen this type of trail in Switzerland and in schoolyards, but in public spaces, it is rare,” explains Blandine Lebourg.

Watching the children try it, they appreciate it, with a few comments all the same: “I’ve already been told that the slope for rolling the ball doesn’t go fast enough because it’s not inclined enough, we’re going to improve that! » smiles the manager of Ville Renouvelée.

A wicker tunnel created by two landscapers Justine Adam (atelier Paf) and Charles Avart (atelier Bergot) is also part of this fun project.

A whole fun set

These festive installations are added to others: sports equipment, chess tables, cabin, picnic tables and even mini-vegetable garden! “The goal is, despite the work, that people do not live in a permanent construction site for more than 10 years, that it is neat and of quality,” explains Jean-Marie Vuylsteker, first deputy mayor of Tourcoing. Because urban renewal will take a long time, until around 2037.

Transients

This billodrome and its fun elements take place in a green space delimited by a wooden barrier, but accessible to everyone at any time. Their particularity: they are transient, therefore ephemeral.

“This allows us to test new, different uses, which we will improve over time,” says Blandine Lebourg. “If they meet the needs, we can reinstall them in another location, and even in another neighborhood,” adds Xavier Monnet, director of the urban renovation project for the city.

This billodrome will be used for around a year, then will come the development of the new square in the heart of the district.

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