Lille, Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Discover one of Lille's highlights on a walking audioguided tour by the belfry of Lille's City Hall, and climb on top of its 104-metre-high tower to enjoy a breathtaking view of Lille! Visit the belfry of Lille's City Hall on this audioguided tour! This visit will grant you the opportunity to find out about this 104-metre-high UNESCO World Heritage Site towering over Lille, whose construction ended in 1931. You will be equipped with a pair of binoculars and an audioguide, and enjoy an ideal viewpoint to look at the city and its surroundings. Choose this guided tour to discover the belfry of Lille's City Hall and tower over the city to enjoy a breathtaking scenic view!

Discover the city of Lille on this bus tour! Relax and explore every single part of the city! EXPLORE THE STREETS OF LILLE BY BUS AND ADMIRE THE CITY'S MONUMENTS! Embark on a 50-minute bus tour of Lille aboard a comfortably open-top bus (in summer)! Audio guides provide informative commentary throughout the tour, in the language of your choice (French, English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian). As you travel, you can enjoy a scenic view of the city's key monuments, from the ancient to the modern neighbourhoods. The itinerary includes the following sites: * Palais Rihour (tourist information office, first and last stop) * Grand Place * Rue Faidherbe * Quartier des Gares * Euralille * Quartier Royal * Lille Old Town * Îlot Comtesse * Porte de Paris * The City Hall belfry * The Saint-Sauveur neighbourhood * Place de la République and the surrounding district (Palais des Beaux-Arts, Préfecture...) Choose the Lille bus tour to discover the city's major landmarks and points of interest, supplemented with audio-guide commentary!

The best of Lille thanks to the City Pass! Enjoy free access to many museums and attractions as well as unlimited transport! Thanks to the Lille Pass, experience all the ferment of the city in one single offer! Find out about all of Lille's secrets! Enjoy free access to 25 museums, sites, and tourist services in the Lille metropolitan area. With the 72-hour pass, you will also have free access to 14 museums, sites and tourist services in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and a free access to the TER regional train network (operated by the SNCF) for 24 consecutive hours. You will have unlimited access to metropolitan Transpole public transport (underground, buses, tram) during the selected period. You will also get preferential prices on shopping and dining venues (you will receive the list in the Lille and Roubaix tourist information offices). Choose the Lille pass for the duration of your choice and make the most of your stay in Lille!

Discover Lille's old town on a 2-hour walking tour. Walk along the streets and squares, and marvel at the beauty of its architecture! SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF LILLE'S OLD TOWN ON THIS GUIDED TOUR! With your guide, discover the old neighbourhoods of the city and feel the charm of this bustling and welcoming city. Lille still features buildings from different influences: the Palais Rihour, the Vieille Bourse, the Rang du Beauregard and the Cathedral. After this tour revealing the city's different architectural styles, your tour will end with a visit to the Hospice Comtesse, an iconic monument combining many accounts of the city's history such as earthenware, sculptures, paintings and furniture. Choose this guided tour of Lille's old town and discover the city's highlights!

Discover Lille on a beer-themed paper chase and walk around its streets looking for clues! FIND OUT ABOUT ALL OF LILLE'S SECRETS ON A FUN BEER TASTING DETECTIVE GAME! The aim of the game is to find the stein of Gambrinus, prince of beer, which was lost somewhere in the city... Start by picking up your road book, then you'll be ready to start searching for the missing chalice! To complete your quest, you will follow a trail around Lille's streets and squares looking for clues to help you solve the enigma. Several key clues can be found in certain of the city's bars. You'll have the pleasure of tasting 4 exceptional beers in 4 of Lille's best bars, chosen specially for the game. Your search will progress thanks to the clues hidden along the way. You'll need to look in all directions, including in natural spots and even in the taste of your beer! Choose this fun, pleasant and delicious tour of Lille! Good luck! Alcohol abuse is bad for your health. Please consume in moderation 

ArrayYour Experience Explore the architectural manifesto that is the Villa Cavrois, designed by architect and figure of the modernist current, Robert Mallet-Stevens. This emblematic piece of his work was built for a textile manufacturer, Paul Cavrois, and his family in the early 1930s. This villa was dubbed a historic monument in 1990, and the restoration program began well into the early 200s. What makes it so appealing is its imposing proportions, the separation of two symmetrical wings, the lack of ornamental decor in the villa, and the escalation of the rooftop terraces. Not to mention, the modern touch post-renovation that included central heating, elevators, and the use of new industrial materials and techniques. You will explore the vast living area, the intriguing façades, the stunning terrace, and of course, the 72-meter-long water mirror, reflecting the beauty of Villa Cavrois quite nicely!

A wonderful place to stay thanks to its numerous facilities. Its rooms are equipped with all mod cons and will delight you with their pleasant and invigorating setting.

This was the largest British offensive mounted in 1915 on the Western Front.  The British would have preferred to remain on the defensive until the BEF numbered 36 divisions and had built up sufficient stocks of ammunition and heavy artillery. However this meant waiting until Spring 1916 and, with the Russians under severe pressure on the Eastern front and the Gallipoli campaign faltering, this was politically impossible. Sir John French's anxiety over the lack of suitable munitions unwisely led him to involve the military reporter Charles Repington. This action ignited a huge controversy back in Britain. The British Army was committed to a battle not of its choosing, in an area unsuited to an attack, without clear objectives and with its major commanders (French and Haig) at loggerheads. The opening saw the first use of poison gas by the British Army, following its introduction by the Germans, and was the first mass engagement of New Army units. Despite heavy casualties, there was considerable success on the first day but the reserve divisions were held too far from the battle front and the whole attack became bogged down. Sir John French had already been much criticised before the battle and his perceived poor handling of his reserve divisions in the battle led to his remaining support in both the Government and Army being severely eroded.He was replaced by Douglas Haig as Commander of the British Expeditionary Force in December 1915. Wikipedia Long, Long Trail

1915 began in a more sombre mood. The initial enthusiasm of the French had been tempered by massive losses. The Germans, although they had thoroughly beaten the Russians on the Eastern front, had been flung back at the battle of the Marne. The British Army was facing up up to modern warfare on a scale it had not prepared for. The War spread to Africa, the Middle East, and brought in Italy and Bulgaria on opposite sides. The Germans began two new campaigns - with Zeppelin attacks from the air and unrestricted U-Boats attacks against merchant and passenger ships around the British Isles. including the sinking of the Lusitania. The French Army launched another disastrous attack in the Champagne region. The second battle of Ypres saw the first use of poison gas against the British. Faced with the appalling conditions and casualties on the Western Front some British politicians (including Winston Churchill) and their military advisors began to look for other fronts where Britain’s naval forces could be involved.  In the Middle East the British began a long campaign against the Turkish armies in Mesopotamia with an initial success at the battle of Kut-al-Amara. Meanwhile in the West the British Army used a combination of poison gas and increased artillery support to punch a hole in the German lines at the battle of Loos which was not properly exploited. From this failure much was learned by the British High Command.

With its late 19th century architecture, the Natural History Museum has become a must-see. It offers permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the year, as well as workshops and evening events for young and old alike, promoting a rich and varied cultural heritage. Skeletons of sperm whales, whales and rorqual whales float above visitors, suspended from the magnificent beams of the main gallery, while on the floor, animal scenes illustrate the richness and great diversity of species.

[Since 2 April 2024, the Museum has closed its doors to the public in order to accommodate a vast renovation and expansion project]. Behind this facade with its many architectural influences, discover works of taxidermy and other relics of the evolution of the Earth and its inhabitants. Among them are life-size reproductions of dinosaurs, impressive skeletons of land and sea animals, and a rich collection of insects, birds and mammals, including a polar bear, considered one of the museum's centrepieces and whose presence evokes current environmental issues. The geology area will take you back 600 million years to the present day, revealing what the North of France was like then and tracing its evolution to the present day. In addition to this vast permanent collection, the Natural History Museum offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and themed evenings for young and old all year round.

Opened in March 2009 to coincide with Europe XXL, the Gare Saint Sauveur, formerly a goods station, has been renovated by the City of Lille to offer cultural events and leisure facilities throughout the year, as well as a bar-restaurant and an urban farm with seasonal activities.

In the heart of Lille, the Palais des Beaux-Arts stands out behind a magnificent fountain with water jets from which springs Eugène Dodeigne's famous "Group of Three" sculpture. It houses the richest collection in France after that of the Louvre, in a sumptuous setting of characteristic 19th-century architecture. It includes French and European paintings (Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, Delacroix, etc.), sculptures (Rodin, Claudel, Carpeaux, etc.), ceramics, and other media such as a large cabinet of drawings (including 40 sheets by Raphael) and relief plans of towns in the region, fortified by Vauban in the 17th century. In 1997, renovation work was carried out in the basement, creating a room for temporary international exhibitions, an auditorium, a library and educational workshops.

A symbol of the freedom of the cities of the North, the building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lille's belfry is 104 metres high and offers a breathtaking view of the whole city. The base of the belfry features magnificent sculptures of Lyderic and Phinaert, the two legendary figures who played a pivotal role in the town's foundation. Prices: €7.5 Free for under 6s

As a showcase for the history of the Institut Pasteur de Lille and a focus for current scientific research, this museum was born out of a desire to celebrate the scientific work of our researchers. It gives everyone access to the collections of the Institut Pasteur de Lille and thus to the history of those who built it. The Institut Pasteur de Lille museum pays tribute to its founding fathers, talented researchers and humanists whose work has saved millions of lives around the world: Louis Pasteur, Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. The aesthetics of this contemporary exhibition come alive throughout: the museum becomes a place of discovery, astonishment, learning and wonder. Combining art and science, history and modernity, new technologies and poetry, the Institut Pasteur museum in Lille is an undeniable source of scientific mediation, particularly for young people, teenagers and children. Stimulating interest in science, research and health is a major concern of the Institut Pasteur de Lille.

Cooperative bistro for associations and groups. It's a place where people can meet, share and support each other, with organic produce and as much local produce as possible in the bar and restaurant. For more information, visit Website: https://les-sarrazins.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafeLesSarrazins/?locale=fr_FR Contact: 09 62 67 37 34

A typical brasserie on boulevard Vauban, Au Carrefour is the ideal place to enjoy a good meal or watch a sporting event in a festive, friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit Website : https://brasserie-carrefour-lille.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/brasserieaucarrefourlille/?locale=fr_FR Contact : 03 61 50 90 13

You walk through the door of La Nouvelle Aventure, are greeted with a smile, take a seat and are surprised by the big slate in the middle of this little neighbourhood bistro, where a list of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines catches your eye. The wines are available by the glass, the carafe and the bottle, so you can discover some great regions. You'll also notice that some good regional beers are on offer, and that the tradition of the Picon Vin blanc is still alive and well. For more information, visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075573741685&locale=hi_IN Contact: 03 74 46 03 61

This bar in the heart of the emblematic Wazemmes district has a guaranteed atmosphere, great music and a warm welcome. For more information, contact Contact: 03 20 13 70 42

Reawaken the sailor's thirst with a good rum, a good beer and a plank. For more information, visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barlespiratesofficiel/ Contact: 09 54 90 18 53

Snacks and beer! For more information, contact Contact: 03 20 74 57 61

Irish-French culinary specialities, as well as beers and whiskies, in an intimate pub setting. More info at Website: https://www.tirnanog.fr/ Faebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063725136479 Contact: 03 20 54 66 69

The emblematic bar, tobacconist and restaurant on rue Solférino. For more information, visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesolfe/?locale=fr_FR Contact: 03 20 57 03 43

Benefit from great Appart'hotels where you can stay in total freedom for a night or a weekend. For more information, visit Website : https://www.au-30.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/au30lille/ Contact : 06 51 70 20 52

Not far from a train station, the RBX - Roubaix Centre hotel is an excellent choice for a stay in Roubaix. For further information Contact: 03 20 70 19 20

Just 10 minutes from Stade Pierre Mauroy, come and "mingle" in a family setting in the colours of rugby. For more information, visit Website : https://www.hotel-agena.com/ Contact : 03 20 60 13 14