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LILLE ART OF LIVING
Lille, A surprise around every corner
Lille has inherited its strong personality from centuries of a mixed population and from its interest in trade. This regional capital combines youth and beauty, openness and culture both past and present, with love of fine food and festivity. It prides itself on a cult of festivity drawn from its lively traditions. In every single area visitors can feel the warm, convivial and festive spirit radiating throughout Lille.
Come in June for the “Fête des Géants” to see the figures of its legendary giant founders paraded through the streets. Each year, the first weekend of September stands for partying on the part of the two million visitors that come to town for the “Braderie”, Europe’s largest flea market.
Must do! Must see!
Main Square
The Lillois’ favorite meeting place offers an interesting view of architecture from the 17th to the 20th century. Standing in the center of the square, the Goddess commemorates Lille’s resistance to the Austrian siege in 1792. In front, the Old Stock Exchange, built from 1652 to 1653, is undeniably the town’s finest building. Made up of 24 little houses surrounding an arched courtyard, a secondhand book market and chess players can be seen inside. The Grand Garde, a building used to house soldiers from the Garde sentry, is situated on this square, now converted into the “Thêatre du Nord”.
Old Lille
Remarkably restored, the Old Town enchants the eye with its flamboyant architecture. The soft facades are contrasted by the exuberance and profusion of their decoration. The extraordinary diversity of its 17th architecture offers an invitation to saunter.
Citadel
The work of Sebastien Lepreste, Marquis of Vauban, erected on the order of Louis XIV who had just conquered the town, was built between 1667 and 1670. It was originally a small town surrounded by five bastions that form a star.
Town Hall and its Belfry
Built from 1924 to 1932 by architect Emile Dubuisson, who was inspired by the triangular-gabled Flemish houses, its 104-meter high belfry is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
European Opera Days
On Saturday 8 May 2011, the Lille Opera will opens its doors, with free admission, to all parts of the building for debates, concerts, workshops, lectures, etc., within the context of the Opera’s European Days.
More info on: http://www.opera-lille.fr/en/saison-09-10/bdd/cat/happy/sid/99191_happy-day
The Museum of Fine Arts
Due to its size and permanent collections, the Lille Palais des Beaux-Arts is considered to be one of the best general interest museums in France. Its surface area of 236,000 square feet houses prestigious collections of 15th to 20th-century European paintings, 19th-century French sculptures, ceramics and relief maps of fortified towns.
Events
- Portraits of Thought
From March 11 until June 13, 2011, 45 masterpieces of the greatest masters of the 17th century will be presented.
Velasquez, Zurbaran, Murillo, Giordano, Ribera: the greatest Spanish Masters of the 17th century are represented among the 45 masterpieces exhibited on the theme of the figure of the philosopher in the Golden Age.
The exhibit reveals the invisible aspect of thought through a gallery of portraits cloaked in silence and the pleasure of pathos of thought, as they are expressed in material form.
Created according to the artist’s faith and imagination, for these portraits, the painter is given an opportunity to paint while focusing on the position of the figure, its expressions and gestures, for symbolism on the whole linked to philosophical thought, and also to demonstrate how pictorial writing can correspond to philosophical thought, and an intellectual idea can become an allegory.
For practical info: Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
Place de la République - +33 (0)3 20 06 78 00 / www.pba-lille.fr
SPRING IN SAINT SAUVEUR – –AUGUST 13-15, 2011
This season, the Gare Saint Sauveur will once again host a series of events each weekend for the whole family, including exhibits, concerts, cabarets, shows, and cinema for young audiences, and more.
Discovery and sociability are first and foremost at the Gare Saint Sauveur. You can come to see an exhibit and end up being invited to a stranger’s birthday party, or you can book a room at the Hotel Europa and end the evening at a concert. It is also a bar/restaurant in which you can write on the walls or play board games with friends. At the Saint Sauveur, we experience atmospheres, sounds and new worlds throughout the numerous events proposed.
