Welcome to our first travel vlog, where we take a mini break in Lille, France.
We arrived at our tiny AirBnb apartment in the late evening, after first grabbing some supermarket supplies for a light dinner and breakfast for the next 2 mornings. Our first destination of the day was a lovely 30-minute walk from our apartment. The Porte de Paris, constructed in the latter half of the 17th-century, is a triumphal arch (or free-standing monument) constructed to celebrate the victories of Louis XIV. Also known as the Porte des Malades (or Gate of the Sick), it was during the 13th century that this city gate led to a leper colony.
Built with two different facades, the city entrance was created at the end of the 17th century while the city exit was constructed in the late 19th century. Our next stop was to the Beffroi de Lille. This town hall belfry is 104 meters high and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Recommended as an ideal location to enjoy the layout of the city, we climbed the initial 100 steps to then take a lift to the top level, which is enclosed with windows offering a 360-degree view of Lille. We then chose to climb the remaining 20 or so steps to reach the open-air viewing area, a much more rewarding way to see panoramic views of the city. While we chose to ride the lift to the top, the return journey down is worth the walk using the steps (much easier downhill), where we could then read the various historical facts displayed on each level. The entry cost for this experience was €6 each. Important: you need to book online the day before as there are limited places.
Just a short walk from the belfry we came to the Palais des Beaux Arts. This museum/gallery is one of the largest in France and exhibits a large collection of fine arts, modern art, and antiquities. Established in 1809 by Napoleon 1, it houses an extensive collection including sculptures, paintings, drawings, and ceramics. There is also a room full of plan-relief maps of French towns including Lille from the 1740’s. The cost of entry to the museum was €7 each and we spent a couple of hours enjoying the many artworks, after which we took the opportunity to have a relaxing lunch in the beautiful gardens in the front of the museum. Next on our walking tour was a quick visit to La place du Général-de-Gaulle. The palace square was a leisurely walk along tree lined avenues. Highlights included great views of the Beffroi de la Chambre de Commerce de Lille and the 19th-century La Colonne de la Déesse. Just off the square we walked to the Vieille Bourse Book Market. Housed against the backdrop of a 17th-century building built when the city was under Spanish rule, it was constructed in a Flemish Renaissance style comprising of 24 houses, each built in an identical style. Apparently between 1861 and 1921 the building served as the Lille stock exchange until it was relocated. At the book market we found a number of different stalls selling a fantastic variety of books, old movie posters and other memorabilia. After a very brief afternoon thunderstorm, we then headed back through the old town to walk through the Parc de la Citadel before leaving the old town behind and strolling along the Canal de la Deûle, a beautiful 123-acre park. Then it was time to make our way back to the apartment for a well-deserved glass of French wine!