Now, where were we? Ah yes, I had just arrived in Lille-Flandres and after extiting the station, immidiately made a right turn to head towards Euralille and Gare Lille-Europe. After a 1hr wait in Kortrijk which hasn't got a toilet in the station, I was quite desperate for a pee). So I hoofed it towards the Gare Lille Europe. After a quick lav break (€0.5, which is reasonable given the cleanliness), I headed back outside and took a few pictures.


Above: modern architecture


Above: Gare Lille-Europe


Above: Art, apparently

After taking some pictures, I entered the station again and headed for the métro. Now, I'm guessing most of us here are familiar with the people-mover type trains they use at airports (the so-called "VAL"). Well, Lille has that as a subway system, because they were invented there. VAL used to stand for Villeneuve d'Asq à Lille. It was later changed to Véhicule Autmatique Léger, but anyway, we're getting off topic a bit.
So I bought my ticket and boarded the métro, then the automated little train really put the hammer down. After a quick line change at Lille-Flandres (where I arrived in the first place for those keeping track :P) I made my way to the city centre.
After getting out at République Beaux-Arts, the first thing I saw was heavily armed policemen (armed with MP5 and FAMAS guns). Needless to say, someone important was in Lille at this time. After being told in a very friendly manner by one of the armed agents that I was walking where I was not allowed to for some reason, I made my way to the Palais des Beaux-Arts.


Above: Palais des Beaux-Arts


above: the (very Parisian-looking) building they were guarding.

From here on out, I made my way to the Grand Place, basically out of memory, since I know Lille quite well. Because my dad lived there for the better part of 8 years.
On the way, I also spotted this:


Above: 2012 Lotus Elise for those of you who don't know (on Belgian plates)

After some more walking, I made my way to the Fnac and started looking for the tablets department. After finding it, I found a Nexus 7 demo unit and was a bit surprised by how small it actually is (more or less half an iPad).

Then I walked around some more, taking some more pictures.


Above: a post office


Above: the old stock exchange


Above: Place Rihour


Above: the street between the Grand Place and Place Rihour


Above: Lille's Belfry (it should be said that those in Gent and Bruges are nicer )


Above: Lille City Hall


Above: Porte De Paris


Above: Parisian-style houses next to the Porte De Paris

Since it was well past noon at this point and I was lazy, I walked to the nearest métro station (Lille Grand Palais), took the métro to Euralille, and went to get a sandwich at Paul. Afterwards, I had a walk around Euralille for a bit and did some shopping as I needed some socks.

Around 5pm, I made my way back to the Lille-Flandres station, took a few more pictures and then took an uneventful train ride home. The train doing the Kortrijk-Gent rotation did look like it had just had a rave party happen inside it in one of the carriages.


Above: the front of the Lille-Flandres station, which used to be the Gare Du Nord in Paris, but was then moved to Lillewhen the current Gare Du Nord was built.


Above: Inside the station, to the left is a TGV towards Bordeaux St-Jean.

And finally, the reason for the trip:

In the mean time it has been rooted and is now running ParanoidAndroid.

Hope you enjoyed my second TR here.