Armentières, the gateway to Flanders, just 15 kilometers from Lille and close to the Belgian border, enjoys an exceptional location. Served by freeway, train and bus, it's easy to get to Armentières for a day or a weekend. A former flagship of the textile industry, the town of Armentières has kept one of its nicknames: "la Cité de la Toile". The town was originally built in the middle of a large marsh flooded by the river Lys. Today, a few wetlands remain, such as the 45-hectare Prés du Hem, a veritable green lung for the Lille metropolis.For many years now, the town of Armentières has been in the midst of a major overhaul, with the aim of making the town more attractive and accessible. The station area has been completely rehabilitated, and a new media library has found a home there. In Armentières, you'll enjoy strolling through the town center, stopping off at one of the many cafés for a drink while admiring the main square and the belfry, a UNESCO world heritage site.If you'd like to spend a weekend here, don't hesitate to come along on the second weekend in September for the traditional Nieulles festival, named after the small, round, sandy cakes that are the town's gourmet specialty. On the program: braderie, concert, crowning of the Reine des Nieulles, ducasse, parade... and, last but not least, a spray of Nieulles from the balcony of the Hôtel de Ville. This tradition dates back to May 1510, when the Seigneur d'Armentières came up for air on one of the balconies of the Grand'Place, and threw cake crumbs at the children playing on the square. This tradition of throwing things from the top of belfries was intended to symbolize the relationship between rulers and the people. So it's easy to understand why this tradition ceased with the Revolution! It wasn't until 1938 that the Fête des Nieulles regained its place in the town's folk calendar.Many personalities, past and present, are linked to the town, including the designer of the first electric car, Paul Pouchain, born in 1868. Other famous names include Line Renaud, a native of neighboring Nieppe, and Dany Boon.
