Cheers Balaj
;@)

Rochefort-en-terre

In the twelfth, century the hill town of Rochefort-en-terre was a relatively well to do canton, surviving as it did, due to the patronage of the highly placed administrators, the rich bourgoisie and seigneurs all vying for power and influence in the region


At the end of the first french regime, however, the town went through a long period of decline which even it's sole source of income, slate selling, failed to halt


Coupled with the inability of the old town to adapt, it's mistrustfulness towards the changing times and the lack, quite simply, of any ressources to modernise itself over the last two centuries, the town has remained firmly locked in the time capsule of it's heyday


The narrow streets tightly hugging the ancient stone and slate houses, all neatly lined up and in some cases stuck next to each other are all still marvelously intact which has led, unsurprisingly, to a boon in the local tourist industry







Notre Dame de La Tronchaye

At the start of the twelfth century as the powerful Rochefort fmilly took up residence at the top of the hill, a shepheard discovered an ancient statue of Mary the Virgin hidden in a hollwed out tree. According to popular tradition, the statue was hidden 200 years beforehand by a friar who was fearful of the Normand invasion.


Over the course of the century, a church was built on the site of the discovery but in the sixteenth century, it was partly demolished to be replaced by a church of a more gothic style

La forteresse des Rochefort

After the victory of the King of France over the Bretons, he orderd the destruction of the fortresses in the region.


Rebuilt by Guyonne La Folle, the chateau was again destroyed in 1594, victim of the religious wars. Then, for a third and last time the fortress was completely destroyed in 1793 by the republican army - following an uprising it had been occupied by the paysans who were hostile to the ongoing conscription


Today, the only remaining vestiges of the symbol of the power and the richess of the seigneurs Rochefort, is the fortified wall which surround the spur of the hill

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 dayi 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 somethingAt 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.