Lille

If you’re looking for a French destination that serves up a tasteful mix of the old and the modern, you will be hard pressed to do better than the city of Lille in the northern part of the country.

And speaking of taste, Lille justifies its place as part of the world’s capital of gastronomy with a range of restaurants that offer an innovative menu of dishes reflecting French heritage as well as influences from other parts of the world. The vibrant music and arts scene here ensures that you will be fully entertained during your stay as do the many wine bars and brasseries that dot the city.

Sightseeing and activities

Lille is rich in culture and this is evidenced by the many museums you can find here. Among them are the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse and the Musée d’Art et d’Industrie de Roubaix.

Here you will see exhibitions of European artworks dating back to the 15^th century as well as displays of modern and contemporary art.

There are also many landmarks that point to Lille’s rich heritage including the Lille Cathedral, a Roman Catholic basilica whose construction began in 1854. The Citadel of Lille was built between 1667 and 1670 and was designed by the renowned Sébastien Leprestre, Marquis of Vauban.

It is shaped in the form of a 5-pointed star and at 2,200 metres in circumference, is really a small town in itself.

The Porte de Paris is a structure similar to the Triumphal Arch in the capital that was built in the late 17^th century in honour of Louis XV’s capture of Lille.

Lille is a veritable shopper’s paradise with several boutiques and designer wear outlets where you can get that exquisite necklace or comfortable sports gear.

When it comes to matters of the stomach, Lille really is in a class of its own with more patisseries than you can count as well as a wide range of eateries to suit all sorts of budgets. Even the average establishments serve a mouth-watering assortment of dishes ranging from local specialities to overseas delicacies. Brasserie Flore is particularly recommended to visitors.

And when you want to wind down an evening with your drink of choice while socializing with the locals, you will find many classy joints at your disposal. At the Club le 30 you will be entertained by some of the country’s best jazz artists as you sip your favourite drink and at Bateau Ivre the more energetic can dance away the night to house music. If you want a place with Anglophone staff you should try out Café Oz. Apart from getting a bartender who literally speaks your language, you will be satisfied with the lively atmosphere and excellent selection of music.

Events

Every month the Chalice Sound System, a grand reggae event held in Wazemmes takes place, and it’s a highly recommended experience for music lovers. Should you happen to be in Lille in September, spare some time to attend the annual fair known as La Braderie. Here you will find plenty of merchandise for the buying including antiques, ornaments and paintings.