The first oak trees to be used in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris have been selected from a forest west of the capital…
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When you are around twenty…
The Talking Point series provides an opportunity to discuss things in English, exchange ideas, and learn from each other. Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as saying “To understand the man you have to know what was happening in the world when he was twenty.” What was going on in the world when you were around 20 … Continue Reading
Pierre Mauroy, Lille’s “different” stadium
This is a rewrite of a post first published in 2016 just after the Euro 2016 match in Pierre Mauroy stadium between Germany and Ukraine, which Germany won 2-0 with goals scored by Mustafi and Schweinsteiger. The Stade Pierre-Mauroy is a rather new and quite unique stadium located in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (in Lille European Metropolis), France. … Continue Reading
World’s oldest art gallery: Cave of Niaux
A few days ago I visited a world’s oldest art gallery: Cave of Niaux in Ariège (18500-10500 bc). It is a huge place, which has remained almost as in the Magdalenian period. Just some small paths were made for visitors. There are only 20 visitors per tour. We walk with a torch, in darkness, and … Continue Reading
The race of hell
In this post, Blandine tells us about how she suddenly decided to take part in the famous Maroilles race, the 20 kilometres of Maroilles. Not an easy race by any means, and to make it worse, she was not all that ready…
Goodbye
Whatever the results will be tonight, just one thing which is obviously certain is that we could say: “Good bye Mr. President!”
French football and English puns
I recently read an article on the Guardian with the following title: “Monaco out to restore French football’s pride against Manchester City” The article argues that because in recent weeks French football has suffered heavy defeats, it is now up to Monaco to get a great win to bring back French football’s pride. The defeats … Continue Reading
IKB International (Yves Klein Blue)
There is a poster in front of me, just above my computer. It reminds me the blue of a beautiful summer sky, obviously not in the North of France. It reminds me also this strange and beautiful sensation when I was in front of this painting.
Le P’tit Quinquin, the lullaby of the children of the north
It was my friend Brigitte who first told me about “Le P’tit Quinquin” many years ago. We were coming back from a walk. After doing a tour of Lille citadel, we passed by Quai du Wault and walked through Foch Dutilleul Square, and at the end of the square, where it joins Nationale Street, there … Continue Reading