Lille

From MaxTravelz

Lille is a medium-sized city in the Nord-Pas de Calais region of northern France with a very large student population.

Contents

Understand

Get in

By Plane

Lille has a small airport, called "Lille-Lesquin". International connections include flights from Munich in Germany, and other European cities. Most international travellers will however want to book a flight to Paris and then continue to Lille via train.

By Train

Lille lies on the Brussels-Paris-London connection. TGV and Eurostar trains stop here. The voyage to Brussels takes about 40 minutes, to Paris about an hour, and to London about an hour and 40 minutes. Coming in by ferry from Calais, train connections run fairly regularly, though I found it hard to get accurate times online. The journey took about an hour and a half

Districts

  • Vieux Lille: full of old charmings houses, few mansions
  • Vauban: student district, mansions
  • Centre
  • Wazemmes: poor but increansingly 'bobo' (Bourgeois Bohemian 'Bourgeois Bohème'), thriving artistic life
  • Lille sud: more poor, sometimes dangerous by night when you are alone...

Get around

By subway

Lille has two subway lines that connect the center of the city with several suburbs. It also has many bus lines that go throughout the city and two lines of cable trains that go to Roubaix and Tourcoing which are two other important cities of the region.

  • Transpole Public transportation in Lille, French Only.
  • The subway was cheap and easy to use, and so I would definitely suggest using it if you are unfamiliar with Lille. Upon arrival, it took us a few hours of walking around to find the centre of town without a map, and so if you are keen to start your trip straight away, I would reccommend taking the subway to Rihour, and getting your bearings from there.

See

Lille has a very nice city center, excellently suited for a city trip. Most of the sights can be combined in a walking tour.

Must see

  • La Vieille Bourse (1653). Right between two picturesque squares, Place du Général-de-Gaulle and Place du Théâtre, this former produce market still plays a central part in the life of the city. You may find booksellers and flower markets in the inner court.
  • The main square, Place du Général-de-Gaulle, better known as the "Grand'place", has many lovely historical houses, like La Voix du Nord, the local newspaper building, and a fountain with the statue of a goddess, "la Grande Déesse" (1843).
  • Place Rihour, surrounded by restaurants, houses the tourist information center inside its main attraction, the Palais Rihour (1453).
  • The town hall is worth a look and can be combined nicely with a visit to the Porte de Paris (1692).
  • The Opera (1923) and the Chamber of Commerce (1921) are located close together and offer magnificent sights, especially when lit-up at night.
  • Take a stroll through the old quarter of the city, known as Vieux Lille, and enjoy the quiet, cobble-stone streets, the variety of stylish designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and the modern Cathédrale Notre Dame de la Treille. More notable streets like Rue de la Monnaie and Rue Esquermoise are definitely worth the trip.
  • A bit farther from the city center is la Citadelle, an interesting example of defensive military architecture, built by Vauban, a famous French military architect, under the reign of Louis the Sixteenth.

Museums

  • Musée des Beaux-Arts , a famed museum covering European art from 16th - 20th century.
  • Museum of Natural History, a large collection of stuffed mammals, insects, fossils, etc.
  • Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, a former hospital now presenting art from a rather alternative angle.
  • Musée d'Art et d' Industrie de Roubaix : La Piscine, a 20th century art museum hosted in a beautiful "Art déco" (start of 20th century) former swimming pool.

Other

  • The subway in the long-distance train station Lille Europe is an attraction on its own. In the large stairway's hall, the walls are entirely covered with a big mural.

Do

  • The open market, Marché de Wazemmes, is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning, but the busiest day is definitely Sunday. Vendors sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, books and stationery, suitcases and shoes, even perfume and undergarments! Be sure to pick up a bag of fresh clementines, a bright bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, some rotisserie chicken and roast potatoes for lunch, and a glass of beer at one of many little pubs surrounding the market.
  • La Braderie is annual street fair. Millions of people gather in Lille in September. You will find everything: paintings, antiques, ornaments, furniture. Inhabitants are partying and drinking, very fun atmosphere. In September.

Learn

Students

As a student city, there are many schools and universities. You can attend bachelor, master degrees in Lille or ask for a student exchange.


(FR à traduire svp) Pour nos amis étudiants étrangers souhaitant nous rejoindre à Lille : Web Site du Crous


French

  • ICL-Clarife is the he language centre for the Institut Catholic de Lille, France's largest private university. Located in the heart of Lille, ICL-Clarife organises complete French language and civilisation study programmes for non-French speaker

Buy

  • Delicious stuffed waffles to be enjoyed at Meert (probably the most beautiful "patisserie" in France) on the Rue Esquermoise right next to the Grand-Place (place du Général de Gaulle) (Station: Rihour on Line 1), as well as at the new location at the Piscine (Museum of Arts and Industry) of Roubaix (Station : Gare Jean Lebas on Line 2)
  • The pedestrian streets just past Grand Place (rue de Béthune, rue Neuve, Rue du Sec Arembault, rue des Tanneurs, etc.) offer popular clothing chain stores such as Etam, Pimkie, Zara, H&M, Sinéquanone, as well as small pubs, restaurants, and two (huge) movie theatres. Some of the buildings that house these stores have beautiful 30's-40's architecture.
  • Euralille is Lille's largest shopping center and offers popular clothing chains, as well as the Carrefour hypermarket. Situated between the two train stations, Gare Lille Flandres and Gare Lille Europe, and right in the heart of the city near dozens of hotels, Euralille is easily accessible to travellers coming into the city.
  • Le Furet du Nord (Place du Général de Gaulle) is the largest bookstore in Europe, it appears to be one of the most touristic "monument" in the city. It has 8 floors and offers more than 420,000 titles.
  • There are dozens of upscale boutiques (e.g. Louis Vuitton, Kenzo) and trendier, independent stores located in Vieux Lille.
  • Food lovers would definitely be recommended to visit Lille. There are hundreds of little patisseries selling more cakes than I knew existed, as well as a number of chocolate shops. Of these, I would suggest Guillaume Vincent (12 Rue du Cure Saint Etienne), which sells exquisitely decorated chocolates which, judging from their taste, must have about 90% cocoa solids.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

  • Brasserie Flore (place Rihour, just beside La Chicorée, near 'Rihour' subway station) menus from 13,50€, large choice of good meals http://www.brasserieflore.com
  • La Chicorée (place Rihour, just beside le Flore, near 'Rihour' subway station) menus from 13,50€, food served nearly 24/24 and 7/7! Typical meals, typical beers. Do not miss the awesome plate collection on the walls. Each was signed by an artist or a famous person, as La Chicorée is the place were they usually eat after the show. You might even meet someone famous if you try it after 2 or 3 am!!! It's also the place where a lot of casual people eat at night, after their job, after a trip in café, after a show... Really a central place in Lille. http://www.brasserielachicoree.com
  • L'Omnia (9 Rue Esquermoise) You won't miss the entrance of this restaurant/bar, which is situated close to la Grand Place. Ramps and murals combine to create a perspective that makes you feel like you're Alice in Wonderland. Inside the decor appeals to the same childish sense of wonder- all red lights and plush, appropriate to this ex theatre- (you'll find the history of the building on the placemats). The food itself is affordable- the lunch time menu starts from 9 euros. I had the 'potjevles', a regional speciality I would recommend only to the adventurous. Otherwise, I can vouch for some chicken tikka skewers being very enjoyable. The bar also seems to be very proud of their wide range of beers, and the wine was reasonably priced and good.

Splurge

  • The Barbue d'Anvers (rue St Etienne) Flemish cuisine
  • L'Huitriere (rue des Chats Bossus) Behind the early XXth century art-nouveau fish store lies one of the best seafood and fish restaurants in the country

Drink

  • On Rue Masséna, you will find countless bars, nightclubs, and restaurants including small delicious kebab stands that are open late until the wee hours of early morning.
  • Salsa the night away at Le Latina Café on 42/44 Rue Masséna, where you will find all things Cuban including portraits of Che Guevara, hot Spanish tunes, and their famous Havana Club Mojitos. As well, indulge in a Desperado (tequila beer) or two. Drinks are a bit pricier, but the ambiance makes it all worth it.
  • Pub Mac Ewan's on 8 place Sébastopol offers about 140 different beers. Starting at 1€90.

Sleep

Nord Hotel Situated in the southern part of Lille, about a ten minute ride on the subway away from the centre of town. When first arriving, the area seems a bit intimidating, but is actually quite quiet. Fairly basic accommodation. Small, clean room and friendly staff. £40/night for a twin room.

Get out

  • Lille is very close to Belgium, which could make a nice day-trip or a continuation of the journey.


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