To Lille

From Cologne, it went straight to Aachen. There, I encountered the service desert: My rear wheel needs a little attention, more specifically, the spokes need to be tightened. "That's not going to happen now." Oh...

In Aachen, fans gathered for the Allemania game. It raises the question for me: Is there a certain amount of alcohol one must drink to be able to watch this?

Continuing on through Verviers and Brussels. In between, Liège: The train station is delicate, cool! (And cost about twice as much as planned. In comparison, it is rather modest: Berlin ends up costing three times as much.)

Then Tournai.

Tournai is a bit like Brussels, only sweet and small. Beautiful houses, lovely squares! And above all: Jeck sings in the sunshine! Dressed-up Jecken, great atmosphere, people on the streets! Maybe one should go there in March, for the famous "real" carnival?

Between Tournai and Lille, things get sporty: The route consists of cobblestones and gravel. Or gravel and cobblestones. Sometimes both at once. Plus about 20 km/h headwind. I think of the notorious "Belgian Wall" among cyclists!

Just before Lille, then the rescue: A friendly Frenchman takes me part of the way. Not in a car – but on his bicycle. I get to ride in his slipstream. For three kilometers, suddenly everything is easy. A small, completely unselfish act of international bicycle solidarity. Thank you!

And then: Lille! Lille is very metropolitan. There are old houses, indeed beautiful old houses, but somehow I can't get that cozy feeling to set in. I haven't found the Lille vibe from the Sch'tis, anyway.

Instead, there's a bit of jazz. And jazz is well-known for always being good.

The next day is Jour du Patrimoine – the day of open monuments. And that provides the perfect opportunity to check out something one probably wouldn't normally see:

I start with Villa Cavrois - despite drizzle and a 10 km detour. But it's worth it! What a house!

Bauhaus, Mondrian, clear lines, geometry, and functionality. Everything seems well thought out. Chrome, aluminum, colored wood, leather – a combination that I find great!

I used to have Kandinsky chairs. Of course, not the real ones, but replicas – as a student, I could only afford student versions. But that mix of chrome, aluminum, wood, and clear shapes instantly captivated me again!

The Villa Cavrois is actually less a "house from the 20s" than a time travel into a future...

And then there's the Belfry of Lille.

By the way, it stands surprisingly far outside of what one would feel is the center of Lille. But it offers a considerable challenge: 1.5 hours of waiting, then 326 steps.

Upon reaching the top, there is, of course, a view. And the feeling of having truly earned that view.

But that's actually already the journey to Arras...