October kicks off the anticipated 'Lille 3000' festival (sounds bland in English but it rhymes in French). A new biennial cultural festival starting this year, sort of like a fringe festival, but with a cultural theme. This years theme is Bollywood, and for the last couple of weeks, 12 of these 8 m high elephants have been greeting me every morning on my way to work. It's been surreal. It's been beautiful. Mostly I've just been wondering why all ... Read the Post...
s’il pleut la sainte madeleine
Il pleut durant 6 semaines According to my Almanac, the saying goes, If it rains on Sainte Madeleine (22 July - and it did), it will continue to rain for 6 weeks. ... Read the Post...
a trip to the zoo
At the heart of Lille's old citadel (now a fantastic and much needed green space near the city centre) there's a free public zoo with a modest collection of animals - including a red panda with an attitude. ... Read the Post...
scenes from the grande place
I live a short hop, skip and jump from the dead centre of Lille, and its gorgeous 'grand place'. Every summer it's closed off to cars and becomes a pedestrian only zone. ... Read the Post...
