Why are there British red telephone boxes in Lille?

Question

I'm currently living in Lille, northern France, and I've noticed a few of the old British red telephone boxes here, e.g. there is one in the centre of the town, in Rue des Tanneurs, just off Rue de Bethune/Rue du Sec Arembault. I was wondering if anyone can tell me why they're here and how they got here please? Thank you!

There is also one in the grounds of a building in Roubaix, near Lille. Two British phone boxes in the same area of France seems unlikely to be a coincidence to me.

Answer 1

It's a question of fashion. All the North of France is "occuped" by lots of British people and it's the way to greet 'em (I'm @ Lille too)

Answer 2

Because the French Mayor wanted to thank the British for liberating them during the war!

Answer 3

I saw one in Buenos Aires a couple of years ago. I suspect that they are now all over the world. I know many were bought by Americans (no surprise there) and I did here tell of a company that was converting them into shower cubicles although I have never actually seen one of those.

Answer 4

Parce que c'esttrès chic

Answer 5

some of them were auctioned off, so its not suprising that they may be seen in other countries.

Answer 6

because they are.