What is unique about Lille?

Lille's iconic Citadel, built in the 17th century, was designed by the famous French military architect Vauban and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The famous Lille Braderie, a giant flea market held annually in September, dates back to the 12th century and is one of the largest street markets in Europe.

What is Lille best known for?

Renowned for its friendliness, Lille (External link) wows visitors with its lofty bell towers, art collection at Palais des Beaux-Arts (External link) (considered the second largest general-interest museum in France, after the Louvre) and famous stuffed waffles at the Méert pâtisserie.

What are some fun facts about Lille France?

In 1858, Lille annexed the adjacent towns of Esquermes, Fives, Moulins-Lille and Wazemmes. Lille's population was 158,000 in 1872, growing to over 200,000 by 1891. In 1896 Lille became the first city in France to be led by a socialist, Gustave Delory. By 1912, Lille's population stood at 217,000.

What food is Lille known for?

Why is Lille important to France?

Lille serves as an important cultural capital for much of northern France. The boulevard de la Liberté, running southeast-northwest, divides the old town in the north, which used to be cramped within the city walls, from the new town in the south, with its wide and regular streets.

Discovering France’s regions via gastronomy: Lille, the dynamic, underrated city of the North

What is the nickname of Lille?

The nickname, Les Dogues (French for "The Mastiffs"), evokes and emphasizes the team's aggressiveness and dedication, and was first used in the 1920s for Olympique Lillois players.

What are people from Lille called?

For more information, visit the Lille Tourism & Convention Bureau at www.lilletourism.com. City region: Hauts-de-France. Population & what they are called: 233,897 inhabitants (1.2 million in the greater metropolitan area) (2014 census), called Lillois.

What is the most popular drink in Lille?

Its Flemish heritage is strongly tied to a thriving culture: that of beer. Unsurprisingly, the most popular drink is not wine but is the craft beer.

What is the famous pastry of Lille?

A magnificent patisserie, that for more than 250 years, has delighted gourmets with its specialties from the region of Lille, such as berlingots (candies) and gaufres à la vanille(vanilla filled waffles).

What is the national dish of Lille?

Les moules-frites is a popular and historic main dish of mussels and Belgian fries that originated in Belgium hundreds of years ago and is highly popular in Lille. This national dish of Belgium is a prime example of the influence of the Flemish tradition on the culinary styling of the region.

Is Lille tourist friendly?

Lille is reasonably safe for solo female travellers even after dark. While the main, well-lit areas with lots of people are generally secure, there can be pockets in the city that may be less safe.

Is Lille a walkable city?

The heart of Lille is compact, and you can walk everywhere.

Is Lille English friendly?

English is widely spoken in the city, especially in the tourist areas and in businesses. You may find that some people in Lille are more comfortable speaking English than French, especially if they are young or have worked in the tourism industry.

What is the famous cheese from Lille?

Mimolette is a cheese traditionally produced around the city of Lille, France. In France it is also known as Boule de Lille after its city of origin, or vieux Hollande because it was originally inspired by the Dutch Edam cheese.

How long should I spend in Lille?

Three days are enough time to discover the town itself and visit the region's battle sites, memorials, and cemeteries. Here's how to plan your trip. The capital of the Hauts-de-France region, lovely, cosmopolitan Lille bursts with centuries-old landmarks, architectural gems, and world-class museums.

When should I visit Lille?

Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit Lille are during the late spring, early summer, and in the fall. The Lille 3000, a biennial art fair takes place at the end of April. June offers long, sunny days, perfect for squeezing in the most sites.

What is the pastry capital of France?

While Paris may be the founding city for many of these baked goods, you can find high-quality pastries and bread all across France- and during that time explore their historical monuments and cultural museums.

What's the most famous pastry?

What is the most famous French pastry?

The humble croissant is arguably France's most famous pastry. A great croissant should have a lovely cross-section with a honeycombed interior when sliced in half. Bonus: you can make almond versions with day-old croissants.

How much is a pint in Lille?

There's a site called Pricepint.com that gives prices of beer in Lille and they vary from £2.13 to £5.50.

Is Lille a party city?

Lille Nightlife. Lille has an active nightlife, catering mainly for the thousands of students who live and study in the city.

Is Lille a big or small city?

The ten largest cities in France are Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Lille.

Does Lille have an old town?

THE OLD LILLE

The softly dare facades that set off the exuberance and profusion of their decoration. The extraordinary diversity of the 17th century architecture is an invitation to saunter ; so look up to appreciate the perfect harmony of brick and stone. Guided tour of Old Lille every Saturday at 10.15am.