City Guide to Lille

At only 80 minutes from London, 1 hour from Paris and 35 minutes from Brussels, Lille could have chosen to live in the shadow of its illustrious neighbours, yet the city proudly cultivates and displays its singularity!

By Sophie de Lopez on 15 July 2010 in Destination Guides

- Country: France

- Region: Nord-Pas-de-Calais

- Department: Lille

- Location: situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium.

- Why visit Lille?

1. Festive Lille
   
   Lille has a considerable and long-standing festive tradition. Fun-loving and outgoing, the city boasts the highest percentage of young people in France. Bustling energy marks all events, both large and small, festive and inviting, such as the famous September “Braderie” (flea market).
   
   
2. Gourmet Lille
   
   In this region of festivities and hospitality, they like to get together around a good table! Regional food is to be found in the “estaminets”, small Flemish restaurants with a rustic décor and a convivial atmosphere. Local favorites are “carbonnade”, “waterzoï” and “potjevleesch”, usually washed down with a traditional, locally-brewed beer. The Lillois chefs are also renowned for the French gastronomy in their gourmet brasseries and trendy or Michelin-starred restaurants.
   
   
3. Lille shopping
   
   From its rich merchant past, Metropolitan Lille has kept a strong commercial tradition. Here, shopping is a reflection of the northern towns -- lively and friendly.
   Each district has its own special features, and the variety of the 3900 shops is enough to satisfy every budget and every desire.
   With its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with lovely Flemish houses, Old Lille is the ideal place to find the great names in luxury goods, fashion and design. There are plenty of antique shops, art galleries and delicatessens. A pleasant market takes place on the Place du Concert every Sunday morning.
   
   
4. Lille attractions
   
   Sites and monuments
   - The Goddess
   - The Grand Garde
   - The Opera House
   - The Chamber of Commerce
   - Beauregard Row
   - Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral
   - The Town Hall and its belfry
   - The Town Hall and its belfry
   - The Citadel
   - The P'tit Quinquin statue
   - The Coilliot House
   - Euralille
   
   Museums
   - The Fine Art Museum (Palais des Beaux-Arts)
   - The Hospice Comtesse
   - Charles de Gaulle's birthplace and museum
   - The museum of Natural History
   - The Canonniers museum
   - Regional centre of architecture and urbanism
   - The contemporary sacred art centre
   
   Theatres
   - Lille Opera House
   - Lille National Orchestra
   - The Théâtre du Nord
   - The Roubaix Nord-Pas de Calais National Choreography Centre
   - The Tourcoing “Atelier Lyrique”
   
   Gardens
   - The Citadelle Park and the zoo
   - The Vauban Garden
   - The Botanical garden and greenhouse
   - The Henri Matisse park
   - The Jean-Baptiste Lebas Park
   - The Garden of Giants

USEFUL RESOURCES

For further information: http://www.lilletourism.com/index_gb.php

Explore the French city of Lille with your City Pass and gain entry to the famous historical monuments, museums and other tourist attractions of the city.

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