Located in the northeast corner of France, Lille has a privileged geographical position. About an hour from Paris, London and Brussels, Lille is located at the intersection of major European capitals and just hours from Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, and Rome.
A young and dynamic city, Lille is the second university city of France after Paris. More than 114,000 students are shared among the different university centers, grandes écoles and higher learning institutes in Lille.
The Lille metropolitan area is the 2nd region in terms of foreign investment and the 4th most economically powerful region of France. Excellence sites such as Euratechnologies, Euralille, Eurasanté and la Plaine Image are just some examples of the innovation being cultivated in Lille.
• 1 airport serving over 70 international destinations • 2 railway stations • 2 metro lines, the first fully automated subway system in the world • 2 tramway lines • Un dense bus network serving the whole metropolitan area • A vast network of V’lille bike sharing stations
Lille 2020 : world design capital, university city, rich in art history, candidate the for European Green Capital in 2019, Lille lives to the rhythm of cultural events, concerts, shows, making Lille an unmissable cutural destination. After being designated the European Capital of Culture, Lille continues to pursue access to culture with events organized by Lille 3000: parades, great exhibitions and concerts.
Among these unmissable events, the Lille Braderie is without a doubt the major event in Lille. Held annually in the first weekend in September, the whole city becomes a flea market welcoming more than a million visitors each year.
Known for its warm welcome, Lille was elected “friendliest city in France”. As a famous singer says “The people in the North have in their hearts the sun that they don’t get outside."
Just one hour north of Lille is the North Sea, where the Opal Coast boasts vast sand dunes, rocky cliffs and a panoramic view that can sometimes include the white cliffs of Dover from across the English Channel. Perfect for a day trip or a weekend, the Opal Coast provides a great escape to the countryside.
Like the rest of France, Lille has its own culinary specialties that will make your mouth water! Enjoy a carbonnade flamande, award-winning beer, mussels and fries, sweet waffles from Meert or a world-famous Merveilleux.
10. Coolest City in France
Neon Magazine created a list of the coolest cities in France and Lille is at the top! “The Ultimate Student City", as Neon began its article about Lille, has an average age of just 34 years old. According to the magazine’s analysis, what makes a city cool: young, with a high quality of life, sunny, go to the cinema easily, bike through the streets, affordable transport, and of course good quality but affordable beer.
