Kinépolis Lomme is a château in Lomme that serves as the facade of a Kinépolis multiplex cinema. It is noted both for its architectural identity and for its role as a large cinema complex, described as the largest cinema in France and the third largest in the world. The château’s appearance is documented in an image from the Album de Croÿ around 1600, where it is shown near the Mitterie. The historical architecture included a château surrounded by two water-filled moats and a surrounding wall, with a donjon containing five turrets inside the château. Later cadastral records from the consulate era and from 1820 document the moats and a straight path giving access to the church, along with the current drève now called rue de la Dréve. The church is near the Bourg metro station entrance. The site’s history is linked to the manor of Lomme and to the families and events associated with the château over several centuries.
Facade and Scale
Kinepolis Lomme is located in Lomme and uses a castle as its facade. The castle serves as the front of a Kinepolis multiplex cinema, giving the complex a distinctive appearance. The site is noted for its scale, as it is described as the largest cinema in France and the third largest cinema in the world. These facts make it notable both as a cinema and as a built form that combines a castle facade with a modern multiplex function.
Historic Layout and Remnants
Kinepolis Lomme is linked to a historical architectural site depicted in an image from the Album de Croyy around 1600, where it is shown near the Mitterie. The image presents a chateau enclosed by a surrounding wall and protected by two water-filled moats. Inside the chateau stands a donjon with five turrets. Later cadastral records from the consulate era and from 1820 confirm the presence of the moats and show access to the church by a straight path. The site is also associated with the present-day drvee called rue de la Dreve, while the church is noted as being near the entrance to Bourg metro station.
History of the Chateau d'Isenghien Site
The history of the site linked to Kinopolis Lomme begins with the manor of Lomme, whose origins are described as a fortress and a donjon built in 1545, based on a 1496 manuscript. The manor belonged to Marie de Cuinghien, who was married first to Adrien de Gand-Vilain and then to Philippe de Herzelles. Histoire identifies Maximilien Vilain de Gand as a later owner connected with the seigneurie of Isenghien, which King Philip III of Spain established for him before 1583. Maximilien Vilain de Gand was Baron of Rasseghem, lord of several territories, and governor of French Flanders, and he died in Tournai in 1583. Histoire also notes that the family had been installed in the chateau for nearly two centuries before later leaving it for Versailles.
The site was affected by conflict more than once. In 1581, the fortress at Lomme was plundered by the garrison of Menin, which took it on May 21 and was expelled by the lord of Lomme the following morning. Later, in 1746, Louis de Gand de Merode de Montmorency partially demolished the chateau, leaving one wing as a hunting pavilion and a farm. The farm was requisitioned as national property during the French Revolution and destroyed in 1840 after abandonment.
A new phase began in 1850, when Alexandre Tripier bought the land and built a country house inside the moat, which kept the name Chateau d'Isenghien. The building was damaged during the First World War and partially rebuilt after the war.
Aviation Record and Public Recognition
Histoire was a French aviation pioneer whose flights brought him national attention. In 1913, the national press noticed him after he flew continuously for 12 hours between Etampes and Gidy. He later set a world record for nonstop flight duration, reaching 16 hours 28 minutes 56 seconds, and held an aviation record. His achievements were formally recognized with the Legion of Honor.
After World War I, Histoire attempted a flight from Paris to Melbourne in a Caudron G.4, departing from Paris with mechanic Jean Benoist. The attempt received media coverage, but it did not succeed. The aircraft was stationed at Rangoun, and the flight failed because of mechanical issues. During the journey over Burma, a vulture struck the propeller and broke it. Histoire was born to parents who lived in Lille and died in Paris.
From Chateau Grounds to Theme Park
The Chateau d'Isenghien is private property, but the commune of Lomme purchased it for a leisure park. On this site, Lillom, also known as Parc de Lomme, was created as a theme park in France and inaugurated on a Monday. The park was organized around a small lake into four main zones, and its theme presented human history from prehistory to the future. Lillom closed permanently in 1987.
Kinepolis and the Chateau du Cinema
Kinepolis Lomme opened in 1996 at the Chateau du cinema, where the chateau functioned as the entrance showcase for the multiplex. The complex became known for its scale, with Kinopolis Lomme containing 28 seats and holding the distinction of being the largest cinema complex in France by number of seats. In 2014, UGC Cine Cite Les Halles overtook it by number of theaters. The cinema also recorded a Top Gun: Maverick attendance record in a specific month. By 2025, it was the second most attended cinema in France, with 2 million annual entries. The wider site is also associated with the Parc Urbain du Chateau d'Isenghien, where the Centre regional des arts du cirque de Lomme is located.