Lille is the capital of the historical region of French Flanders, located in the northwest of France, on the border with Belgium. This city with a clear Flemish flavor was the center of the textile industry for a long time, but with the development of synthetic materials, traditional production experienced a crisis. Today it is one of the cultural capitals of France, an important economic and trade center, a popular place among students and simply an incredibly beautiful city.
Entertainment and attractions of Lille
The Riur Palace, built in the 15th century, was the residence of the Dukes of Burgundy when they ruled Lille. The building has been rebuilt several times, and today its architecture combines various styles, from Gothic to Renaissance. Special attention should be paid to the cozy chapel and the majestic staircase that leads to it.
The Old Stock Exchange is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, decorated with numerous elements of the Flemish Renaissance: porticoes, pediments, caryatids and atlantes, as well as beautiful stucco. The town hall with towers was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the architect Emile Dubisson, using reinforced concrete, an innovative material of that time. The interior of the town hall is impressive: the 105-meter hall with works of painting and applied art stands out.
Outside the central part of the city stands a military citadel, designed by the architect Marquis Vauban on the orders of Louis XIV. This is an impressive fortification complex made in the form of a five-pointed star.
Art lovers cannot miss the Palace of Fine Arts, which houses one of the largest collections of paintings in France, including works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, Delacroix, Rodin and Raphael. Thematic exhibitions are also regularly held here.
The Charles de Gaulle House-Museum allows you to learn more about the life of the great politician, with his personal belongings, family photos and letters. The Museum of Cannons, in turn, exhibits more than 3,000 exhibits related to the history of artillery.
