About Lille

Lille has it all, from the rich, French culture and bustling city to the ancient, historical buildings. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery - mountains, fountains and rivers - without the chaos and tourism of Paris.  Lille is renowned for its hospitality and its youthful vitality, thanks to the seven universities located there. Second only to Paris in number of students, Lille's nightlife can’t be beat.

The city of Lille dates back to the Middle Ages, with its founding "Great Charter" written in 1066. Today, the city consists of 220,000 inhabitants; however, Lille is also part of an urban community of 87 towns with more than 1 million inhabitants, making one of the largest cities in France.  Lille is located only 38 minutes from Brussels, one hour from Paris, two hours from London and three hours from Cologne. Its location, which is a key component of its cultural diversity, carried Lille to the title of 2004 “European Capital of Culture”. 

The focal point of Lille is the Grande-Place, also known as Place du General de Gaulle, which marks the southern boundary of the old quarter, Vieux Lille.  The southern part of the city is a pedestrian shopping area, whose shops and outdoor cafes come alive on Saturdays. September's Grande Braderie is the major festival of the year, with street parades and flea markets the streets by day and the moules frites frenzy by night in all restaurants, which leaves the city streets piled piled with mussel shells. 

Transportation

Public transportation in Lille is cheap, fast and efficient.

Lille is also located on the Eurostar rail link between London, Paris and Brussels. It is one hour from Paris, 40 minutes from Brussels, 2 hours from London and 3 hours from Amsterdam. The Channel Ports are within one hour by car.

Weather

The weather is generally warmer than in Milwaukee. The average temperature for the year is 52°F, with highs of 69°F in July and a low of 37°F in January. Snow is relatively rare, while rain is a frequent occurrence. An umbrella and a rain jacket are essential items. For cold weather, however, a regular winter jacket is enough.

Cost of Living

Generally, the cost of living is similar to that in the US. However, if you travel to Paris you will find it to be rather costly. Also, you will find out rather quickly that the French enjoy dining out, so it may be wise to plan your budget accordingly.

Top Sights

• Modern Art Museum
• Fine Arts Museum
• The Septentrion Fondation
• Grande Place
• Vieille Bourse
• Palais des Beaux-Arts
• Maison du Parc
• Wazemmes Market
• Manoir de l’Estracelles

Learn More

• Let's Go France
• France Monthly
• Welcome to Lille
• Eurapart online guide