Why Lille in France is a splendid royal destination
During an exceptional very warm weekend in October 2018, I went
to the beautiful city of Lille in France. By train there is a direct line
to this city from my hometown Sint-Niklaas. It lasted about one
hour and a half.
Although Lille is known for its amazing shopping centers, I decided
to be just a tourist and to discover the town's wonderful history.
Royal history
According to archeological research, already in 2000BC people lived
in the area of Vieux-Lille.
From 830 till 910 the Vikings invaded Flanders and the northern part
of France. Then the eastern part of the region was ruled by local princes.
In 1066, Lille was mentioned for the first time in written documents.
Then the town was controlled by the County of Flanders, one of the
most prosperious regions of Europe at that time.
Évrard, the Carolingian duke, lived in Lille in the 9th. century and
he participated in many of the day's politicial and military affairs.
In 1054 there was the important Battle of Lille.
In the 12th. century the fame of the cloth fair of Lille started to
grow.
On 6 February 1236, the Hospice Comtesse was founded by
Joan, Countess of Flanders. The Countess died in 1244 in the
Abbey of Marquette, leaving no heirs. Her sister, Margaret
ruled as Margaret II as Countess of Flanders and later it was
ruled by her son Guy of Dampierre.
After the Franco-Flemish War (1297-1305), Lille was ruled
by the French King from 1304 untill 1369.
The County of Flanders became a part of the Duchy of Burgundy
after the marriage of Margaret III, Countess of Flanders and
Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
Lille became one of the capitals of the Duchy of Burgundy
together with Brussels and Dijon. By 1445 Lille had around
25,000 residents. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy was even
more powerful than the King of France. He made from Lille
an administrative and financial capital.
On 17 February 1454, one year after the taking of Constantinople
by the Turks, Philip the Good organised a banquet at his Lille
Palace, this was called the Feast of the Pheasant.
In 1477, the last Duke of Burgundy died, his heir Mary married
Maximilian of Austria. Thus Lille was ruled by the Habsburgs
untill 1668.
Unsuccessful French attacks on the city took place in 1641 and
1645. In 1667, Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, successfully
laid siege to Lille. Due to the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Lille
became French. This provoked some discontent among the
citizens of the city.
A number of important public works were undertaken between
1667 and 1670 such as the Citadel.
From 1708 till 1713, Lille was occupied by the Dutch during the
War of the Spanish Succession. Throughout the 18th. century
Lille remained profoundly Catholic. It took little part in the
French Revolution.
In 1792, the Austrians laid siege to Lille. Although Austrian
artillery destroyed many houses and the main church of the city,
Lille did not surrender and the Austrian army left after eight days.
In 1846, a rail line connecting Paris and Lille was built.
On 13 October 1914, Lille was occupied again this time by
the Germans. By the end of October the city was run by
German authorities. Lille was liberated by the Allies on
17 October 1918 by the army of General Sir William Birdwood.
The General was made an honorary citizen of the city of Lille.
In July 1921, at the Pasteur institute in Lille, Albert Calmette and
Camille Guérin discovered the first anti-tuberculosis vaccine.
During the Battle of France (10 May till 25 June 1940) Lille
was beseiged by German forces for several days. Lille was
controlled by the German commander in Brussels and it was
never controlled by the Vichy government in France.
On 3 September 1944, German Troops began to leave Lille, fearing
the British, Canadian and Polish troops, who were on their way
to Brussels.
Throughout the 1960's and 1970's Lille and its region were
faced with some problems after the decline of the coal mining
and textile industries.
In 1983, the VAL, the world's first automated rapid transit
underground network was opened.
In 1993, the TGV train line was opened, connecting Paris with
Lille in one hour.
In 1994, the opening of the Channel Tunnel took place, the
arrival of the Eurostar train, put Lille at the center of a triangle
connecting Paris, London and Brussels.
In 2004, Lille was elected European Capital of Culture together
with Genoa. It was then, that I discovered this beautiful city in
Northern France for the very first time.
Nowadays Lille is an amazing city, who takes care of its
heritage and its history. It still has many traces to its past together
with the County of Flanders. These traces are shown not only in
buildings but also in the food and drink culture of Lille.
Anyway it is really nice to pay a visit!
Own pictures taken in October 2018
to the beautiful city of Lille in France. By train there is a direct line
to this city from my hometown Sint-Niklaas. It lasted about one
hour and a half.
Although Lille is known for its amazing shopping centers, I decided
to be just a tourist and to discover the town's wonderful history.
 |
| Lille France on a busy Friday afternoon |
Royal history
According to archeological research, already in 2000BC people lived
in the area of Vieux-Lille.
From 830 till 910 the Vikings invaded Flanders and the northern part
of France. Then the eastern part of the region was ruled by local princes.
In 1066, Lille was mentioned for the first time in written documents.
Then the town was controlled by the County of Flanders, one of the
most prosperious regions of Europe at that time.
Évrard, the Carolingian duke, lived in Lille in the 9th. century and
he participated in many of the day's politicial and military affairs.
In 1054 there was the important Battle of Lille.
In the 12th. century the fame of the cloth fair of Lille started to
grow.
On 6 February 1236, the Hospice Comtesse was founded by
Joan, Countess of Flanders. The Countess died in 1244 in the
Abbey of Marquette, leaving no heirs. Her sister, Margaret
ruled as Margaret II as Countess of Flanders and later it was
ruled by her son Guy of Dampierre.
After the Franco-Flemish War (1297-1305), Lille was ruled
by the French King from 1304 untill 1369.
The County of Flanders became a part of the Duchy of Burgundy
after the marriage of Margaret III, Countess of Flanders and
Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
Lille became one of the capitals of the Duchy of Burgundy
together with Brussels and Dijon. By 1445 Lille had around
25,000 residents. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy was even
more powerful than the King of France. He made from Lille
an administrative and financial capital.
On 17 February 1454, one year after the taking of Constantinople
by the Turks, Philip the Good organised a banquet at his Lille
Palace, this was called the Feast of the Pheasant.
 |
| Philip the Bold Duke of Burgundy |
 |
| The Dukes and Duchesses of Burgundy on a row |
In 1477, the last Duke of Burgundy died, his heir Mary married
Maximilian of Austria. Thus Lille was ruled by the Habsburgs
untill 1668.
Unsuccessful French attacks on the city took place in 1641 and
1645. In 1667, Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, successfully
laid siege to Lille. Due to the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Lille
became French. This provoked some discontent among the
citizens of the city.
A number of important public works were undertaken between
1667 and 1670 such as the Citadel.
From 1708 till 1713, Lille was occupied by the Dutch during the
War of the Spanish Succession. Throughout the 18th. century
Lille remained profoundly Catholic. It took little part in the
French Revolution.
In 1792, the Austrians laid siege to Lille. Although Austrian
artillery destroyed many houses and the main church of the city,
Lille did not surrender and the Austrian army left after eight days.
In 1846, a rail line connecting Paris and Lille was built.
On 13 October 1914, Lille was occupied again this time by
the Germans. By the end of October the city was run by
German authorities. Lille was liberated by the Allies on
17 October 1918 by the army of General Sir William Birdwood.
The General was made an honorary citizen of the city of Lille.
In July 1921, at the Pasteur institute in Lille, Albert Calmette and
Camille Guérin discovered the first anti-tuberculosis vaccine.
During the Battle of France (10 May till 25 June 1940) Lille
was beseiged by German forces for several days. Lille was
controlled by the German commander in Brussels and it was
never controlled by the Vichy government in France.
On 3 September 1944, German Troops began to leave Lille, fearing
the British, Canadian and Polish troops, who were on their way
to Brussels.
Throughout the 1960's and 1970's Lille and its region were
faced with some problems after the decline of the coal mining
and textile industries.
In 1983, the VAL, the world's first automated rapid transit
underground network was opened.
In 1993, the TGV train line was opened, connecting Paris with
Lille in one hour.
In 1994, the opening of the Channel Tunnel took place, the
arrival of the Eurostar train, put Lille at the center of a triangle
connecting Paris, London and Brussels.
In 2004, Lille was elected European Capital of Culture together
with Genoa. It was then, that I discovered this beautiful city in
Northern France for the very first time.
Nowadays Lille is an amazing city, who takes care of its
heritage and its history. It still has many traces to its past together
with the County of Flanders. These traces are shown not only in
buildings but also in the food and drink culture of Lille.
Anyway it is really nice to pay a visit!
Own pictures taken in October 2018
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