clock tower for the centre of commerce in Lille

So our first stop is Lille. Apparently it comes from “l’île”, french for “the island”, which is weird because it’s not an island.

While we’re talking Lille facts, here are a few more:

  • it’s where the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine was discovered
  • until recent times its main industries were mining and textile manufacture
  • Lille is twinned with Leeds in the UK
  • like the rest of France, Lille still has a C&A

I thought it might be nice to sign off with the unofficial song of Lille, a lullaby called P’tit Quinquin:

“Sleep, my little child,
My little chick, my plump grape,
You will cause me grief
If you don’t sleep until tomorrow.”

Tom