À l'époque médiévale, lorsque les remparts fermaient totalement la ville, la Couture constituait son grand terrain maraîcher. En effet, par couture, il fallait entendre coulture devenu aujourd'hui culture. Pendant les nombreux sièges de la ville ce grand potager était indispensable.
La communication avec l'extérieur se faisait par la porte de Compiègne, dont l'ouverture est toujours visible au nord-ouest et la porte des pourceaux, bouchée en 1640, au nord-est de la place. Elle fut bordée d'arbres et les jardins supprimés au 18e siècle. Elle devint une importante extension de la place de marché qui se tenait plus bas, dans la rue Nationale, et fut utilisée comme lieu de rassemblement et de festivités. C'est en 1969 qu'elle devint parking. Elle reste aussi place du marché.
Le nom de Place de la Révolution lui fut donné en 1789 mais pour une courte période et elle retrouva son nom de place de la Couture jusqu'au 20e siècle où elle devint Place de la République.
Texte de la plaque posée sur place par l'association.
In medieval times, when the town was fully walled, the couture served as the town's vegetable garden. The term “couture” can be understood to refer to “coulture” which would then later become “culture”. This word forms the basis of words such as “agriculture” and “cultivate” that we use today in English. This large vegetable garden was absolutely essential to the townspeople on the many occasions the town found itself under siege.
Contact with the outside took place by means of the Compiègne gate in the north-west of the square and by means of the Pourceaux gate in the north-east. The Pourceaux gate was sealed in 1640 however the opening of the Compiègne gate can still be seen here today.
The square used to be surrounded by trees and gardens which were removed in the 18th century. It then became an important extension of the Place de Marché (market square) which was located further down on rue Nationale. The square also served as a place for gatherings and festivities. It was turned into a carpark in 1969. It remains also the market square.
The Square briefly became Place de la Révolution in 1789, but reverted to its original name of Place de la Couture until it became Place de la République in the 20th century.
Text of the plaque placed on site by the association.
