After a few days of meeting people, staring at all the
choices in the supermarkets, taking very enjoyable showers, using the internet
the way all of you do, listening to the noise of city traffic and neighborhood
dogs, and getting used to the convenience of jumping in a car, flushing the
toilet, putting dirty dishes in a dish washer and grabbing food I love out of
the fridge or cupboard, my mum and I left on a five day vacation to northern France,
a region called French Flanders.
Our first stop was Lille, where we braved the drizzle to
investigate what the city center was all about. We found a few interesting
looking buildings and walked all the way out to one of the old city gates. Once
in our hotel further south, we enjoyed the comforts of a clean and modern room
and an amazing three course dinner with a glass of wine. This was my first
taste of the culinary spoils that would follow over the next days. In the
morning, we drove out to a very impressive Canadian war memorial, commemorating
the 60 000 (!) Canadian soldiers who died during the Great War (WWI). The
memorial grounds reminded me of the ones in the US: spacious, clean, park-like
and well-kept. We made a detour to the restored trenches which I found very
interesting. My hat and gloves complimented my heavy winter coat. All was
needed to endure the biting cold of the outdoors.
In the afternoon, we walked around the city of Lens, where
the few buildings worth mentioning were spread out. With map in hand, we
crossed the city and had our exercise, taking pictures while we were at it. To
conclude the day of sightseeing, we stopped at the new addition of the Louvre Museum,
Louvre-Lens, the main reason of our trip to the region. All the relics and
masterpieces are showcased in one big room, according to a time line.
Chronologically, you can compare different styles of architecture and other culturally
different art forms, invented and created during the same time period. It was
an interesting way of exhibiting, albeit a bit chaotic. Entrance to the museum
is free and so are the electronic tour devices with informative commentaries.
After a second tasty and extensive breakfast, we left the
hotel near Lens, to trade it for another one in the center of Arras, one of
France’s prettiest cities. The historic city center was an easy and not too
cold ten minute walk from the hotel. Mom and I explored most of the town that
day, appreciating the architecture of the beautifully restored sixteenth
century buildings and market squares and the view from the Belfry. Another
great dinner restored the calories we lost during our day of walking. The
weather stayed dry, so more walking and exploring another part of Arras
followed the day after. In the evening, we revisited the two main squares –
Place des Héros and Grand Place – where the surrounding buildings were lit up –
very cool! - and where we had a yummy dinner in the cellar of one of these
beauties.
The weather turned colder and greyer and my tummy could take
no more after another buffet breakfast, so we left Arras. But, before returning
home, we stopped at the citadel in Lille. We had hopes of visiting the old
bastion, but were denied. A regiment of the French Army is stationed there, so
we had to make do with a healthy hike around and in between the massive walls.
I really like the way these monuments offer exercise and nature so close to the
city.
Every area has its highlights, but my favorite in French
Flanders is the center of Arras and when Mark’s memories of French Polynesia
and the French have faded a bit, I’d love to take him there!
Belgium - near my parents' house - in winter time (when the weather is "nice")
Showing oma where we are located at the moment and where I flew from
Lille - the main square
Lille - the vieux bourse
Lille - one of the old gates into town
The environs of Lens - mining country
Canadian War Memorial on the Vimy Ridge
Some of the 60 000 Canadian soldiers who gave their lives during WWI
The marble monument is quite impressive and touching
Reconstructed trenches at the frontier of one of the big battles
Church in Lens
Old masterpiece in the Louvre-Lens museum: The empire of Time standing on the world, with Fortune holding the sail and Death the rudder...
Louvre-Lens museum
Arras: Approaching the Belfry in the city center
Arras: Place des Héros - a square full of restored sixteenth century houses
Arras: City Hall with its Belfry on Place des Héros
Arras: For ages, these houses had to conform to a building code - being of stone and brick and with no overhang
Arras: along the same square, the red building on the left is the oldest in Arras, one of the few who survived the extensive bombing during the Great War (1914-1918)
Arras: Painting on the ceiling of the cathedral
Arras: The massive cathedral right behind the abbey
Arras: Mom and the clock of the Belfry
Arras: Place des Héros, seen from the Belfry
Arras: A view from the Belfry gives a different perspective!
Arras: Delicious food at the hotel's restaurant
Arras: Entrance to the town's citadel (built in the 17th century)
Arras: Mur des Fusillérs - a wall near the citadel where over 200 members of the resistance were shot and killed during WWII
Arras: British War Memorial and Cemetery
Arras: Town hall and Belfry at night
Arras: Lit-up historic houses of Place des Héros
Arras: Our last dinner out in the cellar of one of the historic buildings
