[1][2] It continues into Rue de la Barre to the southwest (the start of the old route de Dunkerque) and Rue Royale, one of the main thoroughfares in the district created when Vauban enlarged the town in 1670.

It ran towards the village of Esquermes (formerly a parish, then annexed by the city of Lille in 1858), from which it took its name.

Between today's rue des Poissonceaux and rue Thiers, from the 14th century until its demolition in 1801, stood the façade of the Hôtel de la Poterne, seat of Lille's chambre des Comptes and later finance office.

[6] Houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries were built on the north side, blocking the view of the canal (now rue de Weppes).

15 has the carved stone Maisoncelle sign embedded in the façade, listed since March 15, 1944.

The front of the patisserie, founded in 1761, was designed by Lille architect Charles Benvignat and dates from 1839.