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| Old Town |
Who would have thought that Lille was once the European city of Culture in 2004? It is billed in promotional literature as a vibrant city, creating an expectation that the city fathers can easily fail to deliver. The city centre of Lille is within walking distance from Gare Lille Europe where the Eurostar arrives. Especially picturesque is the Old Town with its narrow cobblestone streets, contrasting architecture, charming cafes and bars, and small boutiques. On a Sunday when nearly all the shops are closed, the Old Town exudes an old worldly charm, far removed from the rampant consumerism that is the modern shopping complex.
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| A balloon seller at Grand Place |
A focal point for tourists is the Grand Place, built on the site of the original medieval market square, and is now the heart of the city. Officially it is called Place du General de Gaulle, in honour of Lille's most famous son. The square is surrounded by the usual suspects: cafes and tearooms, including Paul, a bakery that started life in Lille in 1889 and has since sprouted hundreds of branches throughout France.
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Grand Place, from another perspective
By far the most attractive building in the square is a lavish mid-17th century Flemish masterpiece - the Vieille Bourse. Originally built as a stock exchange, it now houses a second-hand book market and other second-hard paraphernalia such as black and white photographs, old postcards, old greeting cards, vinyls and posters. Most items had seen better days, and they were probably purchased as job lots during a house clearance sale. The prevailing atmosphere among the punters is congenial, the pace is slow, with plenty of people browsing and not many buying. |
The spirit of the French exemplified at Sunday lunch time
