Annual stock sale of Lille

The Braderie of Lille is a popular demonstration which proceeds each year with Lille, the first week end of September. Its origins go back to the 12th century and it nowadays accommodates approximately 2 million visitors each year. Annual stock sale of Lille east one of the largest gatherings of France and the largest flea market of Europe.

History

The history of the annual stock sale remains badly known. In the beginning a simple fair, it started to be transformed into vacuum-attic when the servants obtained the right to sell to the worn objects their owners between laying down it and to raise it sun. The annual stock sale knew many evolutions as well concerning its principle (fair, sale of fabrics, vacuum-attic, etc) as the date on which it was held thus that its duration. In 1523 the date is fixed at August 31st (except if 30 tomb one Sunday) and the duration at 7 business days.

Etymology

The word " Braderie" would come from Flemish " Braaden" , which means to roast. Indeed during the annual stock sale, of many merchants made roast meats and herrings to be used them for the participants.

Annual stock sale of today

The annual stock sale extends today on more than 200 km of pavements and accommodates approximately 2 million people. It is organized the 1st week end September and lasts (officially) of Saturday at the beginning of afternoon at Sunday at midnight (until the Monday the 13th h00 a few years ago) without interruption for the bradeux ones; the annual stock sale of the tradesmen proceeds Monday morning. The city is transformed into enormous a " market with the puces" where the cultures cross. Sectors were created by " spécialité" , and one finds for example a strong concentration of professional antique dealers Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas and associations around the door of Paris, whereas along the field of Mars and banks of the Deûle the amateurs reign emptying their attic. Trade unions and political parties is also present. " bradeux" stroll or fouinent end up stopping to devour a " moulds - frites" , traditional dish of the annual stock sale. The restaurants of the city launch out a challenge during the event: that which will have in front of its ensign the largest heap of shells of mould S vacuums. Many animations (semi marathon Saturday morning, concerts, horse-gears, etc) accompany the event.

Transpole, which deals with public transport of the city, also manages the event by multiplying the buses and subways, especially the night of the annual stock sale, by putting in place a specific ticket for the duration of the annual stock sale, and by putting at diposition carparks supervised in the suburbs of the city to unchoke the center a little. It indeed became excessively difficult to circulate downtown during the annual stock sale, even in the streets not reserved for the occasion.

Public holiday

The tradition of the annual stock sale also understands that Monday following the weekend of the annual stock sale is been unemployed. However, been unemployed Monday is not applied any more, except the municipal employees to whom it town hall of Lille offers this day.

External bonds

Official site of the Town hall of Lille
Site of the Tourist office of Lille

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