I spent the month of May working in Lyon, France and toward the end of my stay, I spent an afternoon and evening in Lille. Lyon is beautiful, and I enjoyed my time there in January and May.

I was impressed with Lille and the Lillois’ hospitality, friendliness, and their joie de vivre. Lille also has impressive architecture, interesting history, and an abundance of cultural sites.

They say, “When you go to the North you cry twice, once when you arrive and once when you leave.” I look forward to returning to Lille soon.

         Lyon

The Saone

Fourviere

Fourviere and the Basilica from the Saone

over the Saone

Sunset Place de Bellecour

on the way to Croix Rousse

Old Lyon and Fourviere

Bridge over The Saone

Place des Terreaux

Saone and Fourviere

Fourviere

Old Lyon

Movie set

Confluence

The Saone

St. John the Baptist Cathedral

Place Bellecour

                                                                      Lille

Lille Grande Place

Lille Grand Place

Lille Opera

 Night out with the Lillois…super friendly people!

One of my favorite French songs!

Il y a du soleil à Lille

Lyrics translated into English (Google Translate)

One says
We say that the North is always gray
That there is only fog and rain
It is also said that there are heaps, wind and wet pavements
It’s said that people in the North have in their hearts the sun they do not have elsewhere
But believe me it’s a mistake

There is sun in Lille
Do not believe what is said
There are as many girls as in Monte-Carlo or Capri
There is sun in Lille
Do not believe what is said
There are as many idylls as in Saint-Tropez or in Paris

And when comes the month of April
In the streets of the old neighborhoods
Subtle spring tunes
Seem to resurface from the past

The little quinquin no longer cried
Since her mother sang
If he was wise and sleepy
He would chuck ‘galore
(Sleep my little Quinquin, sleep, ouè)
It’s raining all over France
Marseille and Paris are under water
It’s sunny in Lille
As in Nice or Mexico City
There is sun in Lille, you must not believe what is said
We meet as many girls as in Hollywood or Monte Carlo

There is sun in Lille, but yeah
But do not believe what you are told
Know it’s not hard to find good weather in our country

The little quinquin no longer cried
Since her mother sang
If he was wise and sleepy
She gave him a nice sabiot

There is a volcano in Sicily and a cyclone in Tahiti
There is as much sun in Lille as in Dakar or Brindisi

There is sun in Lille
You can believe what you are told
There is sun in Lille
As in the heart of all the ch’timis

There is sun in Lille
You can believe what you are told
There is sun in Lille
As in the heart of all the ch’timis