the Braderie de Lille returns after a two-year absence

” She returns. » Highly anticipated after two years of absence due to Covid-19, the Lille Braderie, considered the largest in Europe, is redeploying its 80 kilometers of stalls this weekend, to the delight of some 8,000 exhibitors. and “2 to 3 million visitors”.

For thirty-four hours, from Saturday 8 a.m. to Sunday evening 6 p.m., the city is transformed into a giant garage sale, with tens of thousands of seats in restaurants, widened terraces open until 2 a.m. and of the food trucks to enjoy a beer or the inevitable mussels and fries.

“That’s the sellout”

“We will once again be able to hunt around at will, stroll around, do good business, consume and enjoy ourselves”summarized Wednesday Jacques Richir, deputy mayor, during a press conference. “Yes, it will smell of mussels, fries and pee (…). That’s the sellout. And let those who don’t like it leave town or close their windows.”said the mayor, Martine Aubry, mischievously, in July.

Spread over 180 hectares closed to traffic, thousands of residents, inhabitants of Lille, Lomme and Hellemmes, traders but also 600 professional second-hand dealers and antique dealers will offer antiques, second-hand clothes, toys and other heterogeneous objects.

At its origins, which date back to the Middle Ages, the braderie allowed servants to sell the old things of their masters. Having become international, it is organized every first weekend of September.

Hotels and trains “taken by storm”

After two years of cancellations “we expect a great edition”with “2 to 3 million visitors”, “French, but also Belgian, English, Dutch…”, said Mr. Richir. Hotels and rentals “are attacked”, “the SNCF says that the trains will be full”and on the inscription side “we are full”he adds. “The event reflects the image of the city” : “Festive, good-natured, safe, accessible” with its free entrance, and “adapted to our era of circular economy”. Only downside: strike threats in public transport.

The braderie is also intended ” environmentally friendly “ : since 2017, the sale of new objects is prohibited, except for sedentary merchants. The shells of the 500 tons of devoured mussels are recycled, in particular into slabs of tiles and decorative objects. The city has also been scrutinizing the weather for a week: “The sky seems to be clearing. It should be good, not too hot”says Mr. Richir.

A return “good for the economy and morale”

Concrete blocks, baffles and barriers will allow “a perfect closure” of the perimeter, “completely emptied of its cars” from Friday evening. Establishments will be able to broadcast music, but not organize concerts.

In 2016, the sale had to be canceled due to the terrorist threat. It returned in 2017 in a reduced perimeter, enlarged in 2018 and accompanied by a large security system comprising 3,000 police, gendarmes and soldiers, always renewed since.

Professionals have been preparing for months. “Since May, we have been working with suppliers to select products, negotiate prices, claim “goodies””explains Coralie Toth, manager of Le Square Café restaurant.

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This return “is good for the economy and morale”also enthuses Laurent Rigaud, president of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts. “We are going to find these large tables”with “Regional products and international visitors, it will be exceptional”. The event “has an impact throughout the metropolis”he assures. “Many locals invite family and friends”who “go out, consume. As a butcher located 10 kilometers away, it’s 20% more turnover”.

The World with AFP