The VAL metro

Let's start with the famous Lille metro, the first metro to drive itself! Developed at the University of Lille by Professor Gabillard, it was inaugurated in April 1983, the very first fully automatic metro in the world. This exceptional technical achievement marks a major turning point in the development of the Lille urban area.

Denis Belitsky- Shutterstock

The Carambar Candy

Created in Marcq-en-Baroeul in 1954 by Mr. Fauchille in the Delespaul-Havez Chocolate factory. The fame of this bar caramel (hence the name caram'bar!) has now crossed borders. As we told you, these are essential inventions in the North!

.MaraZe- Shutterstock

We Invented Weaving!

Finally, it was Raymond Dewas in the 1930s who invented a pioneering process for looms in Amiens. We'll spare you the explanation, but basically, he removed a piece that often stopped the machine to change the bobbins, from now on no need to stop the weaving machine, so no more wasted time.

The Redoute's Principle is Northern

The textile industry is in crisis in Roubaix after World War I, so Joseph Pollet, grandson of the founder of the first mechanical wool spinning mill, has an idea: he posts a small ad for a clearance sale on a unsold stock of knitting wool yarn. And that's how.Born from mail order sales... The belfry So no, we didn't invent belfries, but we were the first to build a belfry in reinforced concrete this size. And we're still number 1 for the largest civil belfry in Europe in Lille. Zhu Yunxiao - Unsplash

It's in Amiens that the first army camouflage workshop was created

During the war, in 1914, it was necessary to be able to see without being seen, so the army created a camouflage section in 1915 under the guidance of painter Scévola. It's in Amiens, a rear-front city, that the first section was created with artists from everywhere who then drew trees to hide in or fake tanks.

K-Way was born in the land of rain...

Yes, created in 1965 by Léon-Claude Duhamel, son of a trouser manufacturer in Pas-de-Calais, the K-Way became the must-have garment for outdoor enthusiasts, providing them with waterproof protection and style.

Lille is a city full of charm and surprises, even when it's raining. To make the most of your time in Lille when the rain is pouring down, here are some fun and unique activities to do. From visiting museums to cozying up in a café, there's always something to do in Lille.

Well, there are plenty of other options, like the ancestor of television, or even Decathlon, but we have to make choices in life...