Lille and Tourcoing, France

 

Lille (population 235,000) lies a few miles from the border with Belgium. I cycled through Lille about 30 years ago but, it left no lasting impression so I'm back to give it a second chance. This is Grand Place, Lille's main square. The large reddish brown building in the background is the Vielle Bourse (old stock exchange) and dates back to 1652.

To be honest, the main reason I returned to Lille was to see the Citadel of Lille. During my visit years ago I didn't know there was a citadel (fortress). What's even more exciting is that it was built by Sebastian Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), one of the foremost military engineers of all time. How famous was this man? Even while alive he was a rock star and was known simply as Vauban. If you've been following my blog you know I'm a big fan of his and have been trying to visit all his works. 

This pentagonal shaped (five pointed star) complex was built between 1667-1670. It's huge. I cycled around the outside perimeter and it's more than two miles around. 

Unfortunately I get blindsided. The citadel is still an active military site and visitors aren't allowed. A plaque says back in 2005 France set-up this place up as French multinational headquarters for a NATO rapid response force. They have the cobblestone entranced blocked off and wonder if it's still be used for NATO purposes.

Cycling around the perimeter I come across a beautiful disused entrance. The outside perimeter was originally swamp and mud---which could be flooded if the citadel was attacked.

Found another blocked-off entrance to the citadel.  

Lille was a disappointment but I enjoyed cycling a dozen miles to the nearby city of Tourcoing (population 99,000).  Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this is the Church of St. Christopher in Tourcoing's city center.

I like this impressive building in downtown Tourcoing. 

Tourcoing's City Hall

Several more beautiful buildings in downtown Tourcoing. 

Strasbourg and Amiens, France

 

Cycling through this village on the outskirts of Strasbourg (population 300,000) I keep hearing a loud clicking noise. I stop and check my bike several times to see if there's a problem. Nope, nothing wrong with the bike. Looking up I see the noise culprit---two storks on their nest atop a church. 

Storks are common in the area and supposedly bring good luck. Looks like the village gave the storks help in building their nest--which can weigh between 130 to 500 pounds!

I've been through Strasbourg numerous times and posted many a picture but, here's another.

Strasbourg is one of my favorite cites in Europe. Great medieval old town with French and German influence. Wars over the centuries between France and Germany resulted in each country winning then losing, then winning then losing ownership of the region.

Lots of grand turn-of-the-century structures in Strasbourg. This building houses the offices of canals in France. Don't know why the authorities that oversee canals need such grand offices.  

I'm in Amiens (population 135,000) about 75 miles north of Paris. What's the city's claim to fame? That  church you see in the background.

Amiens Cathedral was built between 1220-1270. It was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1981. It's massive and is the largest church in France. How big are we talking about? You know the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris? Make a clone of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and both would fit inside Amiens Cathedral!

The Somme canal runs through downtown Amiens and is a popular place for food and drink. The canal eventually reaches the English Channel.