The goddess can be seen on top of a column in the centre of the main square (known as Grand' Place or as Place du General de Gaulle). She is holding a cannon fuse in her right hand, and represents one of the proudest moments of the city's history. In September 1792 the city (which was already part of France) was surrounded by 35,000 Austrian soldiers but refused to surrender. Lille managed to hold out and the Austrians eventually lifted their seige.
