In 2025

I will start with the refreshments. 🙂 It was a cold October morning and I have been driving for 2 hours to have my weekend trip. We parked right below the main square. Lille is one of those cities where you can still arrive to city center by car – although partially and then it brings you to the underground garage. If you miss the street, you have to circle all around.

French really do now how to tackle your mind.

To me, the vintage market in the courtyard of the 17th-century stock exchange is the best part of the visit. La Vieille Bourse is an architectural treasure. The grand building was constructed when the city was under Spanish rule. Now, centuries later, it’s still a vibrant hub for commerce.

I always find interesting pieces there that may break the boundaries of morality in the past. 🙂 Keep an eye out for the Franco-Belgian comic books, some of which are even written in the local Ch’ti language.

Talking about the local dialect, the food here is quite strong and distinctive then the rest of France. Local specialties include Flemish dishes such as Flemish carbonnade and Welsh rarebit, mussels and fries, and beer and cheese dishes such as Maroilles. I had a chance to taste them all!

You will also find pastries there, such as the Lille waffle, the Merveilleux, and specialities made with brown sugar.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral is a 19th-century structure with a crypt & a sacred art museum including works by Warhol. I am not particularly impressed, I have to say, but it looks more interesting from the inside.

The afternoon sun gave a bit more warmth so we managed to explore a bit more. We walked to the birth house of Charles De Gaulle. This time it seemed a bit more welcoming and charming – like 18th-century romanticism.

You can see the Flemish vibe is pretty strong here. I’m sure the Flemish-style buildings here come alive when the sun is out and the colours are popping. But I had to drive back.

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In 2013

So far been there three times and I am pretty sure I will keep visiting this rather Flemish city at the northern France. When you see the architecture, you will know what I am talking about: bricks and gold.

Food is oriented on the fish and shells from the Northern sea. I captured this oyster seller at the streets of Lille, on early Sunday morning just preparing his tent.

That Sunday morning markets, however, were noisy and hectic…

The original inhabitants of this region were the Gauls. Until the Vikings came in 10th century.

The 16th and 17th centuries were marked by a boom in the regional textile industry, the Protestant revolts, and outbreaks of the Plague.

I am particularly in love with the city center of this city!
The charm of this city is that, despite being the largest in northern France, it doesn’t behave like a grand French city  – no pace for arrogance – only warm hearts here.

And then the Bourse just there – the magnificent building open to host the flea market.

Then the Post-French Revolution period resulted with another economic growth as being close to the cities like Saint Omer, Brugge or Roubaix. But soon the Europe was back again in World Wars. In the aftermath – the art deco style and the Belle Epoque were present (that was the time of discovery of champagne). 🙂

Lille Cathedral or Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille is a Roman Catholic church dating from 12th century.

Walking around and across the Old city I stumbled upon the Palace of Justice. Nice building!

The city lays on the river La Doule. Not something particularly amazing but still nice and romantic.

Close to it is the citadelle Vauban. Thebuilding was raised in 17th century by one of the notable French kings. However, of course Napoleon used it up most.

Did you know that Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille?

He was a French army officer and statesman who led the French Resistance against Nazi Germany in World War II.

Time to eat local! As I mentioned, the shells are on the main plate here!