Walking down the memory lane
of the Lille

They say February is the month when love is in the air. In Lille, that feeling often arrives alongside snowflakes or gentle raindrops — right at the tail end of winter, just as spring begins to whisper its arrival. During Valentine’s week, I used to guide visitors through the city’s most romantic corners, places tied to stories of love in all its forms: tender moments between couples, a mother’s quiet devotion to her child, or other heartfelt connections woven into Lille’s history and streets. And of course, no tour of love in Lille would be complete without mentioning that it served as the backdrop for the 2014 French classic Blue Is the Warmest Colour (original title: La Vie d’Adèle), the beautiful and intimate lesbian romance film starring Léa Seydoux (known to many as the Bond girl from Spectre) and Adèle Exarchopoulos.

During the Halloween season—or as it's known in France, the time of Toussaint (roughly the last week of October to the first week of November)—I used to lead visitors on a long, atmospheric walk through the Old City. We explored places once believed to be haunted, uncovering eerie local legends that still send a shiver down the spines of today's residents. These stories became even more chilling against the backdrop of early sunsets, heavy clouds, and the classic damp, dark October weather of northern France. The idea for this walk came from another Russian francophile living in the city who first shared the concept with me. I liked it so much that I borrowed the name directly from her: Spooky Lille. In the central streets of Lille, costume shops would buzz with activity in the days leading up to Halloween. Many visitors enjoyed getting into the spirit by adding spooky makeup or full costumes for the occasion. The very last Je Suis Lillois tour was actually a Spooky Lille walk, held by special request in September 2025. It was organised for a group of young women from the Netherlands who had come to Lille to celebrate their friend's bachelorette party.

This expedition was added later to the website, so unfortunately, I never had the chance to welcome any visitors on it. It was specially designed with travel bloggers and vloggers in mind — people who love to share the flavors and stories behind a destination.French gastronomy is an art form, wonderfully diverse, with each region offering its own unique treasures. The Nord — the northern region of France — is no exception. Signature dishes like Carbonnade Flamande (a rich beef stew simmered in beer), Potjevleesch (a cold meat terrine), Welsh (a hearty cheese-and-beer gratin), and Poulet aux Maroilles (chicken with creamy, pungent Maroilles cheese) define the bold, comforting cuisine of the North.The idea behind this expedition was a joyful culinary discovery of the Nord department and the broader Hauts-de-France region — tasting, learning, and savoring the local specialties. Now that I no longer live in Lille, whenever I return, I still make time to enjoy these dishes alongside a good local beer. The Ch’tis — the warm-hearted people of this region — lead wonderfully simple lives. At first glance, the cuisine may seem straightforward, but its true magic emerges when friends and family gather around the table for a long, joyful soirée, sharing laughter, stories, and each other’s company.

July 14th is France’s National Day, commemorating the storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution. Similarly, May 8th is Victory in Europe Day, honoring the Allied victory in World War II, while November 11th marks the Armistice that ended World War I. These are solemn days to remember the countless brave souls who sacrificed their lives defending a great nation. Lille holds a particularly poignant place in this history, especially as a city profoundly shaped by World War I. Intense battles raged in its surrounding region, most notably around Lens. The impressive War Memorial in Place Rihour — right next to the tourist office and Palais Rihour — is dedicated to the fallen soldiers and civilians of that devastating conflict. Yet, due to its strategic geographic location near borders and key routes, Lille was also deeply affected by the French Revolution (including the 1792 siege), the Napoleonic Wars, and World War II — leaving behind numerous monuments in the city center that bear witness to these pivotal chapters. On these national days, I often guided visitors to these meaningful sites. Whether you are French, an immigrant in France like myself, or simply a francophile, standing before them instills a profound sense of pride. As John F. Kennedy once said, every man has two countries: his own and France.