Flemish, Burgundian and then Spanish before finally becoming French, Lille has a unique architectural heritage. A market town since the Middle Ages, a citadel under Louis XIV, industrious and ambitious in the nineteenth to the twentieth century, the city has vestiges of its rich past while looking to the future.

The majestic Grand’Place square invites you to stroll along to the cobblestone streets of Old Lille lined with medieval shops and on to the Old Stock Exchange, whose courtyard has become a meeting place for chess players and collectors of old books.

The Euralille district, meanwhile, is a concentration of daring architectural feats signed by Rem Koolhaas, Jean Nouvel and Christian de Portzamparc. In Lille Sud, "Maisons de Mode" is where, in 2007, young designers sponsored by Agnès b. began setting up in renovated studio/boutiques in this up-and-coming fashion district. With lille3000 the whole city turns to the future, transformed during this new regular event focused on contemporary art and innovation.

European Capital of Culture in 2004, Lille is now a reference in this field. From prestigious major museums and alternative art centres to Opera, the many theatres and the National Orchestra, culture is part of daily life.

Proud of its festive and gastronomic traditions, the capital of Nord-Pas de Calais remains a city on a human scale, exuding the warmth and generosity of the people of the North. It offers visitors a delightful mix of Flemish joviality and French elegance in the heart of the youngest region of France

IN LILLE

Sites and monuments

• The Grand’Place.
• Old Lille and the “Tremplin des créateurs” designers’ market.
• The Old Stock Exchange.
• The Porte de Paris.
• Vauban Citadel and ramparts.
• Wazemmes Market.
• The Town Hall and its 104 metre high belfry from where you can see the coal tips of the mines that used to surround the city.
• P'tit Quinquin statue.
• Coilliot House.
• Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Treille.
• Vestiges of the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy.
• Rihour Palace.
• The Opera.
• The Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Beauregard row.

Museums

• The Palace of Fine Arts.
• Hospice Comtesse Museum.
• The birthplace of Charles de Gaulle.
• The museum of natural history and geology.
• Canonniers Sédentaires Museum.

Parks

• Vauban Garden.
• Botanical Garden and Equatorial greenhouse.
• Citadel Park and Zoo.

NEARBY

Lens

• The Louvre-Lens: the new branch of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Roubaix

• La Piscine: André Diligent Museum of Art and Industry.

Villeneuve d'Ascq

• The LaM: museum of modern art, contemporary art and art brut
  
  Les 2 caps

• Cap Blanc Nez – Cap Gris Nez :  Natural site with a coastline classified by the Grand Site de France label.

• January: "Fantastic," latest edition of Lille3000 from 6 October 2012 to 13 January 2013.
• March: Lille Art Fair (European Fair of Contemporary Art).
• March-April: European Film Festival of Lille.
• April: Cinémondes (Independent Film Festival of Lille).
• May: Wazemmes Accordion Festival; International Soup Festival.
• June: Lille Piano Festival.
• July-August: Clefs de Soleil Festival, Classical music and Heritage.
• August: Lille Funfair.
• September: Lille Braderie giant flea market.
• October: Great circus festival.
• December: Christmas market.

• Go on a beer hunt: Riddles to solve and beer to be tasted; get to know Lille through its history, its architecture and... its beer! Do the “rallye bière" (beer rally) a treasure hunt organised by l' Echapée beer
• Delve into Lille’s industrial heritage:  A visit to these old factories in the industrial districts of Lille will immerse you in the history of a region still very much marked by the industrial revolution. For more information, visit the Lille Tourist Office.

Dishes

• Carbonnade flamande: braised beef with onions, cooked in beer.
• Gougère: salted cabbage.
• Moules-frites: mussels and chips.
• Potjevlesch: 3 or 4 kinds of white meat cooked and served cold in aspic.
• Waterzoï: chicken or fish simmered with vegetables.
• Welsh: toast with melted cheese.

Desserts

• Craquelin: a sweet bun.
• Waffles.
• Goyère: brioche tart.

Drinks*

• Beer.
• Genever: grain spirit.
• Chuchemourette: drink with a cassis and juniper base.

* l'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération

• Lille Tourist Office 
• Lille Airport
• Northern France