SAVE MONEY WITH THE
LILLE CITY PASS OFFERING:
- Free Access to 27 tourist and
cultural sites including the Fine
Arts Museum of Lille, the City
Tour, Charles de Gaulle's
Birthplace, Museum of the
Hospice Comtesse and many
more.
- Free access to the Lille urban
area public transport system
(buses, metro and tramway)
- 5% rebate on certain products at
the boutique of the Lille Tourist
Office
- Reductions and discounts in
selected stores and restaurants
- 10% discount in the department
store Le Printemps and Les
Galeries Lafayette
- A welcoming glass of champagne
offered by the members of the
Club des Tables Gourmandes with
a meal purchased
- 10% discount at the Euralille
Chevignon Boutique
- 10% dicount at Acienda at Euralille
- Reduced price on segway rental
- Location de velo EUR1 per half-
day for a bike rental
- 10% discount in Meert restaurant
of La Piscine de Roubaix
- An advantages check book
offered at McArthur Glenn and
L'Usine of Roubaix
- Special prices at Forum
Departemental des Sciences and
at la Rose des Vents
- Special price for a game in Van
Gogh Bowling
- The three day Lille City Pass gives
you all of the above as well as
free access to 8 tourist
attractions in the Nord-Pas de
Calais region and free access to
the TER (regional express trains)
network.
Finca Fantastica Travel for the independent traveller
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For a vacation in France, with a Flemish flavor
there is no better city than Lille.
by Seymour-James
Named European Capital of Culture in 2004, this
northern town today attracts tourists who come for its
Flemish ambience, its excellent museums, great food and
beer, and of course the world renowned Grande
Braderie (Europe's biggest flea market). Today Lille is
the most important city in northern France, and the
fourth biggest overall in the country. It has a very young
population (including many students), and a vibrant
cultural scene.
Lille has a small airport, called 'Lille-Lesquin'.
International connections include flights from Munich in
Germany, and other European cities. Most international
travelers will however want to book a flight to Paris and
then continue to Lille by the TVG train which takes one
hour. By car, use the A1 from Paris.
Lille's most famous son is Charles de Gaulle, whose
Maison Natale - the very house where he was born - is a
museum to the great man while the main square in the
town centre proudly carries his name. Place du General
de Gaulleis the hub of this city, bordered by the
impressive facades of the Art Deco 'Voix du Nord'
newspaper offices and the 17th century Vieille Bourse
(Old Stock Exchange). To the east lie the imposing
Nouvelle Bourse (New Exchange) and the Opera, both
built at the start of the 20th century. Colorful Flemish
architecture is everywhere with its narrow ornamented
facades (of which the Vieille Bourse is a prime example).
You can also see French classical style houses, grand
boulevards and even the 'Maison Folie' - a former textile
factory now re-born as a cultural and community centre.
If food is your passion, you will be spoiled for choice
when it comes to places to eat, as well as being the
capital of French Flanders, Lille is the gastronomic capital
of northern France. Many traditional dishes have clear
Flemish influences, such as carbonnade flamande (beef
stewed in beer), coq a la biere, waterzooi (a creamy fish
stew flavoured with white wine and herbs),
andouillettes (pork sausages), hochepot (hotpot), veau
flamande (veal braised with dried fruits) and tarte aux
maroilles (cheese tart). There are eateries to suit all
occasions and tastes, from traditional brasseries
(estaminets) to Michelin-starred restaurants such as the
superb, Art Deco-style A L'Huitriere, which specialises in
fish and seafood.
For shopping, meander the narrow streets of Vieux Lille,
popping into one-off boutiques. International brands dot
la rue de la Grande Chaussee and Place du Lion.
High-street brands line the streets in Central Lille,
behind the Grand Place. For serious shopping head for
Euralille, near the Eurostar Station, where over 100
high-street brands cluster in one big mall.
As there are no borders in the European Union and no
currency differences, why not round off your vacation to
France with a trip to Belgium which is less than 15
minutes away by car.
The Lille City Pass is valid for 1, 2 or 3
days.
Gain access to attractions, exhibitions,
tourist sites and museums, and take
advantage of special rates for shows. All
public transport is included: bus,
subway and tramway in the Lille city
area for the 1 and 2 day passes. The
entire rail network of the region and
bus, subway and tramway in the Lille
area for the 3 day pass.
Use this drop-down-menu to find your way
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