In May 2012 came the desire to create a little paradise at the center of Lille, to live in a new and fun way at the water's edge. Bringing together the diverse expertise (sports, sustainable development, leisure practices, language and self development...) of friends and inhabitants of the quay of the citadel and this resulted in The Association Le Grand Huit

They started by standing on the water sliding in town practicing Stand Up Paddle. Cycling is their other passion as well as a lifestyle of its own, insisting on proximity. For several years Jean-Baptiste and his friends have also been working on promoting new mobility with creativity in their businesses : "Company bike" Eco Gatherings, Carfree Committees and Sustainable Development, "cycling guides" ...

Add interest to the history and heritage, the pleasure of international relationship and discovery, undying passion for Holland, and all this makes your association, "Le Grand Huit"

For leisure activities, the association aims at making you discover your waterways and beautiful rides of your city .. In these activities as well as in its operation and move the association promotes the defense of the environment: bike and foot accessibility and actions for cleaner waters and cleaner environment.

In April 2013 a new step was taken with the launch of our activities in Paris, in another paradise nest : Joinville le pont and the carfree Fanac island for the Stand Up Paddle. 

2017 arrives "la trottinette", the scooter

2019 sees our funny bikes all over France, we create the new "urban mobility" activity, and launch the Amiens Paddle section.  

Quickly, our Vélos Fun animation is in demand all over France. We are creating another animation, that of New Urban Mobilities, and the Paddle is launching in 2019 in Amiens, in the hortillonnages and below the cathedral.

2020, the season starts with... the COVID! The world is changing and the values of the Grand Huit are more relevant than ever. We offer speakers to better prepare the world of tomorrow.

In 2022, for its tenth anniversary, Le Grand Huit is launching a new theater show for young and old: the fabulous history of the velocipede.

2023 to the south :  It is in Toulon that one of the new branches of the Grand Huit is developing, for the animation of fun bikes throughout this region.

The Board consists of 8 members :  François Régis, Emmanuel, Robert, Jean-Pierre, Vincent, Audrey, Emmanuelle Bugara, Jean-Baptiste + Frédéric the manager