Finally spring has come to Lille. The weather highs started out in the 50’s but climbed to the high 60’s, occasionally hitting 70 to mid 70’s toward the end of the month. We took full advantage of the nice days by stopping at cafes in the sun, sometimes meeting friends when we did. Also in this wonderful weather, we came across a Morgan Plus Six parked on Rue Nationale and we were enthralled with it!
There is a festival which takes place every three years in Lille (Lille 3000), celebrating different countries or themes each time. This year’s festival is known as Fiesta, which goes from April 26-November 9, 2025, and we began to see displays in stores as well as a few installations around town. The banner poles used throughout the year were pulled off our street and installed in their place were large gold rectangular towers or monoliths. It was explained to us that they symbolize the “monumental gateway to Fiesta. Fourteen golden containers dressed like modern totems: a glance at 17th century city gates, carnivals, processions.”
We also saw pink characters added to the Voix du Nord building by the artist, Phillipe Katerine, an unorthodox artist with a corrosive sense of humor, who used the Covid lockdown to produce a multi-form work of art. The result was le mignonisme, a diagnostic tool that looks into revealing the ‘cute’ aspect of the situation the whole world was going through and the amusing “Monsieur rose (mr pink) — a massive pink character — that explores le bon marché and chats with his high-flying friends. It is full of humor and creativity, and his iconic giant bubble-gum pink sculptures exert a gentle pull on those who cross their path.” As well, an art installation of a large mirrored sphere was placed in the center of the old Stock Exchange courtyard.
Our friend Flo and his parents Sophie and Frederick, invited us to their annual Easter feast and what a feast it was! Sophie is an absolutely fabulous chef and to be invited was an honor. Although the weather that day was rainy and cold, we were still able to enjoy a small period of sun on the patio. We were fed several wonderful appetizers and the signature French spritz with Flo’s girlfriend, Gabby, plus his sister, Clémence and her husband, Arthur. Sophie had prepared for them their yearly Easter basket goodie hunt, which sent them running about the yard, trying to find treasures that were individually color coded. It was a hoot to watch the four adults returned to being kids again. The pictures don’t really show it but they were fairly scampering all over the yard in their hunt.
The traditional French spring meal began with white asparagus in a lovely hollandaise sauce, the main course was an incredible lamb which had been cooked for 7 hours, accompanied with potatoes and carrots, followed by a course of numerous cheeses and finished with a just superb cake with fresh strawberries and homemade cream. We ate until we couldn’t fit in another bite.
After dinner, Gabby, Sophie and Clémence all sat to make necklaces from charms that Clémence had brought. The rest of us sat to watch a soccer (futbol) game between the French ligues Lille and Auxerre, which had the most satisfactory conclusion of Lille winning 3-1. So, happily stuffed and entertained, we were shuttled home by Flo and Gabby, to collapse in a coma for the rest of the evening.
However, the weather was at its best for the parade – sunny and low 60’s – which started at 7:30 pm. The street and plaza were packed for the wonderful bands, balloons, floats and great costumes that streamed by for the next two hours. The bands and entertainment continued in the plaza until midnight but by then we two were tucked away in bed after all that snacking and drinking on the balcony !
The next morning, our great Lille Public Works crew was out finishing up the cleaning of the streets. They do a great job keeping Lille centre looking so good.
Our month ended and we readied and packed for our May Italy trip which starts on the 30th. We are so excited to see the cities and sights we’ve read so much about; Naples, Rome, Florence, the Amalfi coast, Umbria, Assisi, Tuscany, Venice and Milan. Loads of pictures next month, you can be sure.
See you then !
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