Catherine Meurisse: a book dedication over breakfast at La Maison Fives
Yesterday morning, we experienced a rather magical moment at La Maison Fives. Visiting Lille to present her new graphic novel, Le Clan de Walden, the brilliant author and illustrator Catherine Meurisse stayed with us, just a short walk from Le Biglemoi bookshop and café, where she had held a talk and book signing the evening before. We’re in Lille Fives, very close to Fives Cail Babcock, and clearly… chance worked out beautifully.
A surprise dedication over breakfast
At breakfast, Catherine spotted our copy of Le Clan de Walden on the table. Her first instinct was to open it and check whether it had already been signed. It hadn’t. With a mischievous smile, she asked: “Shall I sign it for you?” We’d barely had time to say yes before she returned with her coloured pencils. Settled comfortably at our large table, she took the time to draw a picture and write a proper dedication “for Soula and Ben, La Maison Fives”. A gentle, simple moment that reminded us why we love bringing this slightly unusual place to stay to life, somewhere between a guesthouse and a little everyday gallery.
France Inter in the studio, Catherine on the radio… and beside us
Fun fact: while Catherine enjoyed breakfast, we were working next door in our ceramics studio and shop, with France Inter playing in the background. On the radio was Charline Vanhoenacker, broadcasting from Melle… with Catherine Meurisse as her guest. So Catherine was a few metres away from us and, at the same time, “inside” the radio. “How is that possible? I’m here with you and on the radio at the same time,” she joked. We loved this little mirror effect.
Our copy of Le Clan de Walden has found its place
This lovely moment will stay with us. Our Le Clan de Walden now has its place in the house, a reminder of a stop in Lille during a book tour, just a short walk from Lille-Fives and Fives-Cail. If you don’t know the author yet, we really recommend exploring her world; you can learn more about her career here: Catherine Meurisse. And if you’re visiting Lille Fives, we’re here: an intimate hotel, a handful of rooms, accommodation designed like a home, and right next door a ceramics studio that comes alive with each new idea.
Practical information and thanks
Thank you to Le Biglemoi bookshop and café for the event, and congratulations to Catherine on this tour. To place us on the map: we’re in Lille Fives Cail, in a lively part of the city that inspires us every day.
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