Monday 18 December 2017

Old Town Lille

I have been taking a break from blogging as I had a few days in Lille, France and am now trying to catch up with Christmas preparations. I travelled with a group of friends hoping to visit some Christmas markets. We  go away every year just before Christmas. We were attracted to Lille as it only takes 70 minutes from London via Eurostar. 

This is the Grand Place, the centre of the town.






In the Grand Place is the Vieille Bourse, the old stock exchange built in 1653. Trading would take place in the courtyard accessed through the four arches, one on each side of the building.











This is where the trading took place. Nowadays you will find a number of book stalls here.




Restored in 1861, it is a wonderful decorative building.
                               














The Voice of the North newspaper office.
The frontage has 28 windows which represent the 28 different newspaper issues.












In the Place du Theatre is the highly decorative building of the Opera House with its sculptures of Apollo and the Muses.













Also in the square is The Chamber of Commerce and industry with its 76m belfry.









Cobbled streets of the Old Town




Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral.

 The doors were created by sculptor and holocaust survivor George Jeanclos, representing a barbed wire vine of human suffering and dignity.







                               


                                 View of the doors from inside the church.               



  The modern rose window





This 13th century hospital is now a museum showing life in Lille during 15th - 17th century. It was founded in 1237 as a hospital and hospice for the needy.


















                                                                 The chapel.





The box gardens outside the Museum.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday




15 comments:

  1. What an intriguing place and so exciting to travel with friends ~ great photos and hope you found some Xmas markets ~

    Happy Week to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  2. A very beautiful and ancient place. You always visit the most impressive spots. Hope you got your Christmas shopping done. :-)

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  3. It's a fine looking city. I just had to look up where Lille is exactly, and I think we must have been through Lille when travelling from Brussels to Calais on Eurostar. Maybe I don't remember because I didn't and still don't know how to pronounce it.

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  4. 70 minutes! Wonderful. I'd be making use of that as well.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  5. Beautiful photos of the architecture.

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  6. I have been a few times to Lille at the fleamarket in September. The city is so packed with people then, that I hardly have seen any streets without people. The bookmarket in the Bourse is great. Nice to see your photos of the beautiful old city.

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  7. Hello, what a beautiful city. The buildings and details are amazing. It does not look too crowded during your visit. Wonderful photos! Enjoy your day and week ahead!

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  8. So many charming towns in Europe. I want to see them all :)

    Happy Holidays!

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  9. The architecture is simply stunning - mais oui!

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  10. The old, old buildings and all their details are so wonderful and I am envious that you are only 70 minutes away from Europe. I bet you found some wonderful Christmas treasures!

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  11. That looks like a beautiful city. And no, I wasn't going to try kayaking, although I'd love to learn one of these years.

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  12. Thank you for taking us on a walk in such a lovely city!
    Kay
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  13. What a beautiful town! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. I'm so envious .... 70 minutes by train to another country -- and what looks almost like another (old) world! Lovely pre-Christmas tradition you and your friends have ..

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