Me about to set of on a tour round Lille
When I heard that I would be spending a morning cycling around Lille a question immediately came to mind, namely, is it true that you never forget how to ride a bicycle?
I remember well the last time I rode anywhere on a bike, namely from my home down to the seafront. I left my bike outside overnight and the next day found the entire roof of the building next door on top of it; the Great Storm in October 1987 had wreaked havoc across the whole of the south of England.
Some 25 years later I needed to know if I could still ride. I arranged to borrow my sister’s bike and took it to a empty car park. After a false start or two, I wobbled off and soon found myself cycling along quite happily. At least the cycling bit was fine, it was the stopping and starting that was a problem.
Never-the-less, feeling inspired I bought myself a new bicycle, so I could build up my confidence on the road, before I went to Lille.
A cycling tour of Lille
On a Sunday morning, in glorious sunshine, we met up with our guide Florent at Café Restaurant Le Corfou, on Quai de la Citadelle. Our tour started with a ride through the park alongside the canal in the shade of a lovely avenue of trees. It was perfect and I could have spent a few hours just cycling around the park – it seemed big enough.
Avenue Mathias Delobel
But there were more parks, lovely squares and the pretty cobbled streets of Lille to explore, with regular stops for Florent to tell us about any points of interest we passed. It was a great morning and I’m so glad I can still ride a bike.
Voie des Combattants
Monument aux pigeons voyageurs by the entrance to Lille Zoo
In 1936 the French Federation of Pigeon Fanciers erected at the entrance to Lille Zoo a memorial to the 20,000 pigeons who died for their country in WW1. Florent pointed out to us that there are no bird droppings on the monument and apparently there never is.
Quai du Wault
Florent introduces us to two of Lille’s giants, Lydéric and Phinaert
The city of Lille was founded by two giants, Lydéric and Phinaert. They are carved in stone at the foot of the City Hall belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Porte de Roubaix, Place St Hubert
The only downside of cycling in Lille is the cobblestones. They’re a real boneshaker.
Place du Théatre
Lille Chamber of Commerce and the Opéra de Lille
The tour ended where we started and rather conveniently there happened to be a very charming tavern in sight, Guinquette de la Marine. We tucked into a hearty traditional lunch washed down with a glass of local beer.
All the details about taking a bike tour of Lille can be found on the Le Grand Huit website.
Photograph of me courtesy of Janine from The Good Life France
Disclaimer: Thank you to Roubaix Tourist office, Lille Metropole, Nord Tourism and P&O Ferries for a really wonderful weekend. All thoughts expressed are my own, honest opinions.
Lille’s a completely different place if you go by walking or on a bike… indeed, the whole world changes! I’m so glad you had fun 🙂
wish to go Lille someday..
These photos look so lovely! The idea of biking around a cutesy little place like this on a sunny day is really tantalizing!!
Thanks Sharry and thanks for popping by. It was a really great way to explore this lovely town.
Sounds like you earned your lunch after your morning’s exercise! Love pics and what a lovely city too 🙂
What a gorgeous place!
I love a bike ride that ends with a good meal!
I’d heard that it’s a lovely city, Kathryn, and it does look pretty.
I hope you get to see for yourself one day. I’m sure you’d really love it.
I can’t believe no pigeons poo on that statue. Or that so many died in a war. Were they messenger pigeons?
Yes, they were messenger pigeons. I believe they played a very important role.
What a great pigeon fact! You’ve whetted my appetite for my trip to Lille now – it looks a bit like Calais in your pics.
I loved Lille and neighbouring Roubaix. I’d insist you visit La Piscine in Roubaix too but I know you are going on a stag party so maybe save that for another visit!
It was a great cycle tour, not least because in the dozens of visits I’ve made to Lille over the years, I have never explored this beautiful park – a city of constant surprises and hidden gems. A lovely day captured perfectly by your lovely excellent photos Kat, but I’m glad we didn’t plump for the tandem after all….!
Hi Cathryn, the whole weekend was wonderful and I’m longing to go back to discover more. Yes, not so sure a tandem would have been a good idea either!
Whoa….your last attempt at bike riding was certainly thwarted…but I am happy to see you and the bicycle have been reunited! I am a huge fan of city tours on bikes and Lille looks lovely for it!
It was the perfect way to see Lille as you couldn’t cover so ground much on foot.I’ll certainly be looking out for other bicycle tours from now on.
That’s what I found when I did a bike tour in New Orleans…not I am hooked! Off to do a bike tour in Montreal next! Love the two wheeling freedom!
You never forget how to ride a bike! What a terrific adventure on a beautiful day. You can go at your own pace, stop when and where you want (within reason! ) Just a great way to see the sights from a different perspective. One of my ‘dreams’ is to cycle the Loire Valley. There’s still hope!
The whole valley!? 😉 That sounds fantastic. Do it soon and tell us all about it!