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In 1854 the idea emerged to build a magnificent church, dedicated to the worship of the Virgin, with a miraculous statue protected by an iron trellis (hence the name of Our Lady of Lille) in Lille is known from the the Middle Ages. Style imposed is precisely the Gothic architects of the thirteenth century, with references to the cathedrals of Reims, Amiens and Chartres. The dimensions of the initial project are pharaonic: 132 meters long and arrows reaching over 115 meters. However, wars and financial difficulties will quickly because of the plans. With the creation of the diocese of Lille in 1913, the church became a cathedral, but the site, however, reduced to more modest proportions, drags on and the cathedral remains unfinished. It was not until the 90's for a public subscription permit to carry the main facade, opened in 1999. Designed by Lille architect Pierre-Louis Carlier, it is the result of a great technical achievement, made ​​possible through the collaboration of Peter Rice (Engineer of the Sydney Opera House and the Pompidou Centre in Paris). Its central part consists of a warhead 30 meters high, covered with 110 white marble slabs 28 mm thick, which supports a metal structure. From inside, translucent veil reveals a surprising pink-orange. At the top, the glass rose window on the theme of resurrection is the work of the painter Ladislas Kijno. The portal is the Jewish sculptor Georges Jeanclos.