A wonderful city close to the Belgian border, Lille is considered a popular tourist destination. It is possible to spend a vacation of any length in it, and at the same time it will not be boring for a minute. For children there is a zoo and many entertainment centers, for shopaholics there are large shopping malls and the famous flea market.
Lille's most fascinating destination is for history, culture and architecture lovers. Its unusually rich history and geographical position have contributed to the emergence of architectural, historical and cultural monuments of the most diverse in style and time. So what is the first place to see in Lille?
TOP 10 attractions in Lille
Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Fine Arts
A must-see place for the richness of its collection - the largest French museum after the Louvre. Created in 1809 by order of Napoleon, for more than two centuries it has been replenished not only with canvases by famous painters, but also with sculpture, ceramics, graphics, etc. At the end of the 19th century, the museum collection received a new building - in the style of the so-called "Belle Epoque", a beautiful era. Today, this magnificent architectural creation adorns the center of Lille, Place de la Republique.
The extensive collection of graphics - over four thousand sheets - is considered especially valuable. Interesting departments of antiquity and the Middle Ages, an exposition of numismatics. The richest pictorial collection is rightfully popular. The quality and variety of work exceeds all expectations. Moreover, many painters familiar from the Hermitage appear from an unexpected perspective. El Greco, Rubens, Bruegel, Goya, Van Dyck, Delacroix, Raphael, Botticelli, Veronese - this is not a complete list of brilliant artists whose works can be seen in the museum.
General de Gaulle square
General de Gaulle square
It is the Square of the Goddess, in a word, the central square of Lille, which is simply impossible for the guests of the city to pass. The whole area is one big attraction.
Its name was given because Lille is the birthplace of the famous military and statesman, the hero of the French Resistance, the first president of the fifth republic, Charles de Gaulle.
The second name was given to the square in honor of its main monument. The column surrounded by a fountain is crowned with the figure of a woman with an artillery fuse in her hand. This is another evidence of the rich history of the city, the memory of how its inhabitants resisted the siege of the Austrian army in 1792. The monument was erected half a century after the event and was named the Column of the Goddess.
You can stay here for as long as you like: look at the surrounding buildings, each of which can be called a masterpiece of medieval architecture, admire the harmonious combination of French and Flemish architectural styles. The area is spacious, beautiful and photogenic - great photos are obtained from any angle.
Paris gate
Paris gate
Arc de Triomphe, built by order of Louis XIV in honor of his own victory over the then Flemish Lille. In the 17th century, the gate was part of the city's defensive wall and was called the Gate of the Sick. In 1892, the triumphal arch built in their place was named the Paris Gate. They look majestic and without pomp. The austere straight lines typical of a military structure blend beautifully with baroque elements. The arched structure is decorated with lilies - a symbol of the French royal court. And also the figures of the patron saint of war Mars and Hercules, as a symbol of strength and power. On top of the entire structure, a sculpture of Victory is installed, surrounded by angels trumpeting glory to the winner. Laurel wreath in the hands of Victory and the trumpets are gilded. In 1865, the Paris Gate received the status of a monument to the history of France.
Lille Town Hall and Bell Tower
Town hall
The town hall was built on the site of the previous one, destroyed during the First World War. The Flemish style is embodied not only in the building itself, but also in the decorations - sculptures at the base of the bell tower. The hewn statues depict the heroes of the legend about the founding of the city. Inside, the interior of the town hall is decorated with works of contemporary artists. At the beginning of this century, the town hall was officially recognized as a national monument. Now you can visit it with an organized excursion.
The tower, built next to the town hall, is intended to symbolize the influence of Lille as the capital of the region. It is considered the tallest tower in the north of France - 104 meters. It is included in the UNESCO list of bell towers of cities in Belgium and France, as a World Heritage Site. There is a clock and a powerful searchlight on the tower. As well as television and radio antennas.
Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Trey
Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Trey
A majestic cathedral, an interesting example of church architecture. Its main shrine is the statue of the Virgin Mary of the 12th century. It was kept in St. Peter's Cathedral, destroyed during the French Revolution. The shrine was preserved, and until the middle of the 19th century, the place of its storage was the Church of St. Catherine. Virgin Mary de la Trey is considered the patroness of Lille. Therefore, when a new cathedral was practically built on the site of the Church of St. Peter, it was consecrated in honor of the Mother of God of the vine and the statue was moved there.
The main construction was completed by 1872, but work continued throughout the 20th century. The result is impressive: modern architects have managed to harmoniously integrate modern materials into the neo-Gothic style. Deserves a detailed examination both outside and inside.
Today it is Lille Cathedral and a national monument. The bell tower of the cathedral is only four meters lower than the main city bell tower, and is also beautiful.
Old exchange
Old exchange
Located in a central square, it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Lille. It was built in the middle of the 17th century for local traders and brokers. The exchange building immediately gained fame as a unique masterpiece of Flemish architecture. The emblem was the statue of the Roman god of commerce Mercury, which adorned the tower. The building consists of 24 rooms combined into a quadrangular building. The entrance to each of them is guarded by sculptures of Flemish lions. The windows are decorated with arched or triangular pediments with stucco flower and fruit garlands. All this splendor is complemented by beautifully decorated columns.
A separate surprise awaits in the courtyard. It is completely French, unexpected for Flemish architecture. After the opening of the Chamber of Commerce, the building became known as the Old Exchange. The spacious courtyard houses a picturesque flea market, as well as a bookstore, a paradise for second-hand book dealers and antiques lovers.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The largest temple in the city, but impressive not only in size. Built at the end of the 19th in the neo-Gothic style, with a richly decorated tower, the building is extraordinarily beautiful. Its main feature is a multitude of colored stained-glass windows, thanks to which it is cozy, warm and even romantic inside the temple. In the central chapel, stained-glass windows make up a series of 11 paintings with episodes from the Old and New Testaments. They are based on drawings by the famous French artist Charles Alexandre Krok. The stained glass windows are officially national heritage sites.
It is interesting to see the white Carrara marble altar - massive, finished with bronze and inlaid with semiprecious stones. The cathedral is named after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated by Catholics on the 12th day after Trinity.
Museum of Art and Industry or Pool Museum
Located in the suburbs of Lille. In the last century, it was the most beautiful swimming pool in France for public bathing - in the Art Deco style, with openwork metal balconies and stained-glass windows at the ends of a 50-meter reservoir. The stained glass windows symbolized sunrise and sunset. After more than half a century of operation, the pool was closed due to wear and tear, but it was decided to keep it as an architectural monument. Thanks to the ambitious project of Jean-Paul Philippon, in 2001 a unique museum was opened here, the only one in the world created on the basis of a swimming pool.
The middle of the bath is preserved - to emphasize the continuity, to remind of the past of the place. To enhance the experience, the recording of the splash of water and the noise of bathers is periodically turned on. Stained glass windows, reflections in the water and sculptures on both sides of the water surface - all this creates a unique atmosphere.
The museum exhibits samples of fabrics that were once produced in the textile city of Lille, ready-made clothes from these fabrics, including those from famous fashion designers. Several rooms are dedicated to painting, sculptures are scattered throughout. The main exhibit is the museum itself.
Hospital Countess
Hospital Countess Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The old Flemish building in the city center is now occupied by a museum. The former name has been preserved in memory of the outstanding woman of medieval Flanders - Jeanne of Constantinople. The countess, who occupied the throne, considered caring for her subjects as her main duty. In the 13th century, during her reign, monasteries, shelters and hospitals for the poor were built. Jeanne gave her garden and part of the castle to the hospital. Later, the hospital was turned into an orphanage; it existed until the beginning of the last century. Then the building was given the status of an architectural monument, and then a museum of Flemish history and culture was created in it.
There are at least four reasons to visit it:
- magnificent interiors recreate in detail the Dutch way of life of the era - with porcelain tiles and tapestries, paintings and sculptures;
- an exposition of objects representing the history of Lille from Flemish times to the French Revolution has been collected;
- a beautiful garden of medicinal plants is laid out around the museum ensemble;
- in one of the halls there is an exhibition of models of medieval French cities, as well as old geographical maps.
Open-air museum
A very eco-friendly attraction in Lille. Outside the city, on an area of about ten hectares, there is a traditional French-Flemish village: farm houses, barns covered with thatched. It will be interesting for children to communicate with pets and feed them. And green labyrinths, beautiful landscapes and silence absolutely attract. The pictures taken against the backdrop of the eco-village, the surrounding greenery and flowers are great.
In the museum you can see the work of artisans, learn how to make handicrafts, or just buy any of them in the shop, which is located right there, on the territory of the museum.
Lille is rich in interesting museums, an open-air museum on top of everything else - there is also an opportunity to relax in the fresh air.
