If you’re looking for a perfect French-Belgium tour then Lille is a perfect place for you. Established in the Middle Ages, Lille sits a few kilometres east of the frontier with Belgium. The city blends French and Flemish influences in its cuisine, architecture and bike culture. It is famed for being an important cultural and commercial hub, and for its historical centre. Tourists will relish ambling the charming pedestrian streets and seeing the cultural allures. A world-class fine arts museum, the avant-garde cathedral, and Charles de Gaulle’s birthplace are among the highlights. With its fascinating sights, captivating city centre, and peaceful atmosphere, Lille is an enthusiastic urban destination without any pretensions.
The following are the best places to visit in Lille:
- Grand Place
Generally called the Grand Place, the Général de Gaulle Square stands just northeast of the city centre, it is encircled by elegant Renaissance and Baroque Flemish buildings with Neoclassical facades. Lille’s expansive main square is a favourite meeting place for Lillois and tourists converge to meet up or see the sights. The Grand Place covers almost 10,000 sq m and features one of the city landmarks in its central part – a fountain with the Column of the Goddess. The Goddess was sculpted in 1845 by Théophile Bra, who also created bas-reliefs on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. On all sides are extraordinary old gabled buildings. Wait to look at the Théâtre du Nord, set in Lille’s former guardhouse from 1717. On weekends you can hang out on the outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants lived on the square offer pleasant people-watching spots while sipping a locally brewed beer.
The Town Hall Belfry oversees Lille
a territory noted for its belfries, and the town hall boasts the most modern and the highest of them all: It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site on its own and rises to 104 metres.
The belfry was built in the early 20th century in a classic Flemish style.
It gives an unusual 360-degree spectacular view of the city. There are 400 steps to get to the top, but most sensible people will choose the lift! the 400 or so steps to get up there. The ascent costs only a few Euros, and the view is worth the effort.
Old Lille is an incredible place in the Belgium province. The Vieux-Lille – Old Lille – district fits within a 1-km radius of the Grand Square. You will pick up on the city’s Flemish significance when you see the baroque architecture proposing to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Besides the beautifully restored bricks and stones houses, Old Lille is home to many attractions and landmarks such as the Old Stock Exchange building, the Opera House and the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle. Lost yourself strolling in Lille’s historic district is a delight, with restored bourgeois houses on cobblestone streets. Small bars in the local dialect – restaurants and boutiques will add on your romantic strolls.
The Eglise Saint-Maurice is a gorgeous Gothic church that was established in the 14th century. The peculiar shape of the Église Saint-Maurice with its tower on the facade, the building is an example of an “Hallekerque” which is implied to spread the weight of the building over the delicate and yielding soil of Flanders. The church has been renovated several times. Latest renovation stands back in the 19th century. The Saint-Maurice Church is also differentiated by its harmonious interior featuring five aisles and 36 tall columns filled with amazing stained glass windows and statues.
The central chapel is devoted to Sainte Barbe, patroness of Lille artillerymen who defended the town.
Highly recommended.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts or Fine Arts Museum of Lille is a stunning building behind the Louvre. Established in a lavish Belle Époque-style building in 1892. It houses impressive collections of paintings, sculptures and drawings from Antiquity to the 21st century.
It’s home to masterpieces such as ‘Belisarius begging for alms’ by Jacques Louis David, ‘Olga in fur collar’ by Pablo Picasso and ‘Medea’ by Eugene Delacroix, just to name a few. You may need as long as half a day to get the most out of the museum and its art from the 1400s up to the 1900s. It also includes an audio guide. A gift shop and a restaurant are available on site. If you’re an art lover wondering what to see in Lille, France this is your answer.
After dominating Lille in 1667 Louis XIV spent little time strengthening the city’s fortifications. The star-shaped citadel was built in just three years and was designed by Vauban, the famed military engineer. The Lille Citadel is located in the centre of a big park. Here, you’ll find major landmarks and attractions including The Vauban Garden, Lille Zoo, the Boulogne Wood and the City-Parc, a small amusement park. The Parc de la Citadelle is a 60 ha island surrounded by the Deûle canal. The Citadel is still a French military base today, so a no-go zone for tourists and locals alike. But you can admire the various gates and outer walls on a ramble in the canal-side park. It’s a cool place for a leisure walk on sunny days, especially for families.