La Braderie
Like most years, yesterday i went to the yearly Braderie in Lille - the Braderie started out way back in the 12 century where the rich and well to do would allow their domestic servants to sell off their old and used posessions between sunset and sunrise on the 31st of august / 1st of september.
The word "Braderie" derives from the flemmish Braaden, which means to roast or grill - during the period merchants would cook meat for people to buy.
Nowadays, the yearly event attracts about 2 million people who ostensibly go to chiner (look for good deals on market stalls) and to eat mussels and fries - every restaurant has a competition whereby they pile up the empty mussel shells as a means of showing that they're the best ... kinda thing.
There are a multitude of events including a mini marathon, concerts and shows which go on throughout the weekend more or less non stop.
I'm completely in love with the place and particulary the contrast in styles between the 'old' and 'new' Lille
As usual, if you click on an image you can view it, full size, in a new window.
From the main square -
La chambre de Commerce
A quick whizz around La Bourse (constructed in 1653)
Each effigy carved into the stonework is unique
Setting out towards Vieux Lille and affronting the hordes of pushing and shoving people - not for the faint hearted ... Despite the threatening grey skies, the weather held out for the day
i really and truly love the attention to detail and the different colours on each of the 'façades'
Look up from your shoes - you might miss something
At the turn of a corner, i stumbled into a beautifuly gothic cathederal - Notre dame de la Treille .. it's interesting in the sense that thing is in two parts : this side has been left as it is, completely untouched, whilst the front has been modernised and turned into some sort of 'super church' monstrosity, resplendant in drab concrete and steel . It looks absolutely horrendous.
Enough goose bumps for me and back out into old lille - the crush of people is just too difficult to describe. 
Some people have the best of views ! 
It was pretty much time for me to be heading on back home .. 
I'm homeward bound and a veritable sea of humans is still pouring out of the station.
The word "Braderie" derives from the flemmish Braaden, which means to roast or grill - during the period merchants would cook meat for people to buy.
Nowadays, the yearly event attracts about 2 million people who ostensibly go to chiner (look for good deals on market stalls) and to eat mussels and fries - every restaurant has a competition whereby they pile up the empty mussel shells as a means of showing that they're the best ... kinda thing.
There are a multitude of events including a mini marathon, concerts and shows which go on throughout the weekend more or less non stop.
I'm completely in love with the place and particulary the contrast in styles between the 'old' and 'new' Lille
As usual, if you click on an image you can view it, full size, in a new window.
From the main square -
La chambre de Commerce
A quick whizz around La Bourse (constructed in 1653)
Each effigy carved into the stonework is unique
Setting out towards Vieux Lille and affronting the hordes of pushing and shoving people - not for the faint hearted ... Despite the threatening grey skies, the weather held out for the day
i really and truly love the attention to detail and the different colours on each of the 'façades'
Look up from your shoes - you might miss something
At the turn of a corner, i stumbled into a beautifuly gothic cathederal - Notre dame de la Treille .. it's interesting in the sense that thing is in two parts : this side has been left as it is, completely untouched, whilst the front has been modernised and turned into some sort of 'super church' monstrosity, resplendant in drab concrete and steel . It looks absolutely horrendous.
Enough goose bumps for me and back out into old lille - the crush of people is just too difficult to describe. 
Some people have the best of views ! 
It was pretty much time for me to be heading on back home .. 
I'm homeward bound and a veritable sea of humans is still pouring out of the station.
posted by Damiel | 1:00 PM
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