While Lille isn’t the biggest of cities, it sits within the larger European Metropolis of Lille with a regional population between 1.5-2 million. While I explored most of the historical centre there is lots more to come back one day and explore across the region.
And the usual steep and traditional winding French staircase to carry my luggage up…
Starting my day in the 13th Arrondissement for its great street art. Then starting at Republique, making my way along the Canal St Martin. What was once an important shipping canal complete with locks. It makes for a long and pleasant stroll. Arriving finally at the City of Science and Industry – an interactive museum….
Located not far from the Paris city limits (where height restrictions wear off) is an area called La Defense. It has a history as a business centre dating back to 1958. According to Wikipedia: La Défense is Europe’s largest purpose-built business district, covering 560 hectares (1,400 acres), for 180,000 daily workers, with 72 glass and steel…
Invalides is a complex which includes an army museum, the Cathedral of St Louis and the Domes des Invalides, containing tombs of significant French figures. It has also maintained its longstanding function as a retirement home for former soldiers. Its gold dome is visible from many parts of the city. It is most notably, the…
Bucharest’s massive parliament was originally designed to bring a very large, centralized communist government together under one roof. It was another five years after the revolution before it was completed and used to support the emerging democracy. With 1100 rooms it is the second largest building in the world and the heaviest building in the…
One of the most recognized sights in Paris and opera houses in the world, the Opera Garnier celebrates 150 years in 2025. This is also the theatre that was the inspiration for Gaston LeRoux’s Phantom of the Opera. I took a guided tour which was excellent. This was an opera house not built for acoustics…
