When people here ask "what's a good place to go to see besides Paris?" I am the only person who points north instead of south, west or east. I figure that already if you are visiting Paris, you have not chosen a destination in function of the weather, so it should not be a problem to see another city that might be a little bit cooler and a little less sunny but on the other hand extremely accessible -- only one hour from Paris by TGV -- and a whole different world in terms of food and architecture.
But at the end of the year -- at least every other year -- Lille has something more extraordinary to offer. After being designated "European City of Culture" in 2004 and organizing all sorts of event for that, Lille decided it was such an incredible success that they would like to do it every two years, even without the EU label. So they created "Lille 3000" and have put on the most amazing art shows and happenings in 2006, 2008, 2010, and now 2012. This year's theme is "Fantastic" and it is truly an apt description.
I just spent two days there but I will be going back (because it continues until mid-January) for reasons that I explain in my report: http://tinyurl.com/lillefan
Tripping the Lille Fantastic
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 Garmisch-Partenkirchen accomodations
- 2 large supermarket in Munich - where?
- 3 Netherland -> Belgium -> West Germany for 18 days
- 4 Rooms in Sorrento & Rome
- 5
A bit of Scotland, wing mirror casualty, 7 days in London, and a Fodors GTG
- 6 Swiss visit - Mürren for Berner Oberland and Chur? Sargans? for Engadin hub
- 7
Solo in Sicily - April 2013
- 8 Am I in an unsafe Parisian neighborhood?
- 9 Zurich to Montreux to Paris round trip - drive or train??
- 10 Schiphol to cruise port - luggage problem
- 11 Norway, Sweden, but have to make it to Marseille
- 12 Credit card CHIP in Europe
- 13 Connection in Newark EWR
- 14 Battlefield Tour
- 15 If an AirBerlin flight arrives in Rome at 11:30 ...
- 16 Torun and Zamosc similar?
- 17 Language Immersion Courses in France
- 18 ? re hotels in 5 terre
- 19 5 days in Ireland, what can I fit in?!
- 20 Train from London to Edinburgh
- 21 Rome to Amalfie Coast-10 year anniversary
- 22 Venice Hotel near Cruise Terminal
- 23 Rome Hotels near Termini
- 24 Edinburgh
- 25 1st, 6th or 7th in Paris
Thanks Monsieur K... Lille has never been on my radar but it is now!
Thanks, kerouac. I was in Lille many years ago and found it dull, dark, and depressing, but am always willing to give a place another try - after all, a whole lot can change in 25 years!
I love it when Sunday comes and Kerouac has been out scoping out a new venue! Many thanks my friend for another visual treat.
We were in Lille just overnight in the early 80's , driving with English friends from Cheshire down to Provence. Another time, another world. I recognize nothing. We ate at a FINE restaurant in or near the train station, but that was more than 30 years ago!
Please post only on Fridays when I have the time for looking at your wonderful pictures without guilt!
I used to run a factory in next-door Roubaix and I think I must have wasted my time in that dump rather than visiting this pretty town. Well done again
Roubaix and Tourcoing both used to be absolute hell holes (some people say they haven't changed). Somebody needs to make a list of the dreariest cities in France some day.
Fantastic! And thank you for promising to return to Lille so you can bring back more photos for all of us here. You do find the most interesting places to take us, Kerouac.
Wonderful!
My return trip will take place in 2 weeks to see what I missed. Yippee!
Very enjoyable, kerouac. I'll look forward to the next installment.
Out of curiosity, I notice your low-light shots are quite good, with not a lot of obvious noise. May I ask what camera you use?
I use a Lumix.
Bookmarking.