Lille is the largest city in the French Flanders; and the Lille Metropolitan area is the fourth largest in France after Paris, Lyon and Marseille. The city is located on Deûle River near the French-Belgium border and for this reason; it is the capital of Nord-Pas de Calais region. Lille is one of the most beautiful cities in France and a French tour will be incomplete if it does not include the city. Below are the city's top tourists' attractions.
1. Charles De Gaulle House
Charles De Gaulle is perhaps the most popular general and statesman in France. He was born in the city of Lille in 1890 and the house in which he was born is today a museum and one of the most visited places in Lille.
2. Lille OSC
For those who love football (soccer for Americans), you would know that there is nothing that can beat the carnivore mood that greets you in the 50,000-seat Stade Borne de l’Espoir when Lille Olympique Sporting Club is playing at home. Trust me; in this place, you can make a lifetime friend by saying the right things about the 'home team'.
3. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
This classical fine arts institution is the best fine arts museum out of Paris. If you love to see beautiful things, then this is the place to spend a lazy afternoon enjoying the works of master painters.
4. Botanical Gardens of Lille
Going by the number of botanical gardens in Lille, it would not be farfetched to say that the people of Lille are the most romantic Frenchmen. In fact, gardens such as Jardin botanique de la Faculté de Pharmacie, Jardin botanique Nicolas Boulay and Jardin des Plantes de Lille have led to the city being nicknamed the 'Garden City'.
5. Lille's citadelle
Built on the authority of Louis XIV in 1668, this defensive fortification has the hallmarks of a genius military engineer. It is one of the most impressive citadelles in the world.
Lille is not as expensive as Cannes and Paris, but it has almost equal sights to see. For those that want to spend a nice vacation in France without leaving a big hole in their pockets, Lille will be a safe bet.
by Kennedy Runo on 02/07/2014 in Sightseeing