We left Rouen and with it Normandy and took the train at 7:09 to Lille, which is the only direct train in the morning. Lille is the capital of the region Hauts-de-France and it ended up on our travel list, because I have a friend here. Furthermore our return flight to Vienna left from Brussels, which is only a short train ride away from Lille (only short if you take the TGV). The moment you step out of the train station Romy Schneider greets you. I don’t think there is any affinity between these two, the large bust looked amazing though.
Romy Schneider @Lille
We stayed at the Hotel de La Paix, nothing to fancy but in close vicinity to the train station. Out first way lead us to the tourist office to get a map and some information on Lille. My first impression of Lille was quite positive. I loved the beautiful houses, most of them very slim and in a way a mix of Amsterdam and Paris. Most of these beautiful houses in the old town of Lille are empty though. In earlier times these houses had a shop on ground level and the upper floors were used for storage. But there does not exist a separate entry to access the upper levels. So most places upstairs are just unused. Quite unbelievable!
first impression @Lille
more impressions from the city @Lille
We left the slim houses soon behind us and faced the opera with the chambers of commerce right next to it. Lille has always been a rich city as part of the historic Burgundian duchy. Reading about the duchy of Burgundy makes you realize how much money was passing through this city since a long time. And this wealth is clearly visible in the architectural jewels of Lille. The building though, the new stock exchange, is only from the beginning of the 20th century. From the belfry you must have a great view, but it was unfortunately closed when we were in Lille.
chamber of commerce and opera house @Lille
The old stock exchange on the other hand is from the 17th century and was built while the city was under Spanish occupation. European politics was messy at that time.
the old stock exchange @Lille
Inside the courtyard many book sellers had stalls selling antiquarian books. The facade as well as the arcades are decorated with garlands of flowers and other opulent Flemish renaissance figures.
courtyard with booksellers @La Vielle Bourse
The modern Cathédral Notre-Dame de La Treille has been finished at the end of the 20th century, but started more than 100 years earlier. The front is new and has a translucent marble, which from the inside looks pink. Inside you can easily detect that around the apsis the church is a 100years older. The first impression one gets is of a modern church though.
Cathédral Notre-Dame de La Treille @Lille
the older part @Cathédral Notre-Dame de La Treille
the newer part @Cathédral Notre-Dame de La Treille
Inside Jeanne d’Arc has a small chapel, beautifully decorated with a castle and colorful windows.
Chapelle Saint Jeanne d’Arc @Lille
Right around the corner is the L’Hopital de La Comtesse, which goes back to the 13th century to house the sick and wounded.
courtyard @L’Hopital de La Comtesse
We took a peek at the chapel inside with its beautiful ceiling. It was rebuilt in the 17th century after a fire destroyed the old one.
L’Hopital de La Comtesse @Lille
We met my friends for a lunch, before we did another quick tour around Lille, went to the fine pastry store Méert to glance inside and looked at cannonballs from the Austrians invasion in 1792 on the facade of the lingerie store Morel &fils.
pastry shop @Méert
The plan for the afternoon was to head to La Piscine, a beautiful Art Deco indoor pool, which had been transformed in a museum and industrial art center. The pool alone is worth a visit.
Art Deco museum @La Piscine
many sculptures @La Piscine
The Palais des Beaux Arts is another beautiful building in Lille.
Palais des Beaux Arts @Lille
We decided pictures from the outside were enough though and rather headed back to the center to visit Europe’s largest book store, Le Furet du Nord. Unbelievable enough, most books were in French and only a very small section was in English. But we found ourselves again across from the old stock exchange. Truly a magnificent building.
Place Général de Gaulle @Lille
Dinner was a local affair at La Friche, which has outdoor seating and a couple of food stalls and reminded me overall of a beer garden. We tried a couple of local dishes like French fries with Maroilles cheese, a very intense smell and taste, and fried chicken. Everything was delicious, but eventually it was time to go home. We still had a big schedule for our last day. Yours, Pollybert
La Friche @Lille
