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    Tourist Attractions in Lille

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Lille. Photos and a brief description.

    Lille
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    About Lille

    Lille is a border town located 14 km from Belgium. It is associated with many historical events of different centuries, which affected the local attractions. Charles de Gaulle, the French president who changed the country’s colonial policy, was born here. A square is named in his honor, and there is also a museum headed by the de Gaulle Foundation.

    The architecture reflects the features of different eras. Churches, the Old Stock Exchange and other buildings are often historical monuments or World Heritage Sites. The Citadel still remains an active military facility, but the “Countess Hospital” has turned into a museum. Football fans will not pass by the home stadium of the Lille club, and little travelers and their parents will definitely enjoy the cozy city zoo.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Lille

    General de Gaulle Square

    The central square of the city. It has several names, including the Large Square and the Goddess Square. The latter name is explained by the presence of a fountain with a column, where a female figure is depicted with an artillery fuse in her hands. The official name was received in honor of the first president Charles de Gaulle, who was born in Lille. There is also the building of the Old Stock Exchange, and a little further – the opera House.

    General de Gaulle Square
    Old Exchange

    Old Exchange

    It was built in the middle of the XVII century. The architectural style is Flemish. The author of the project is Julien Destre. The complex consists of 24 identical houses. Decorative decoration, columns, stucco – all this is in abundance. In the past, there were fierce auctions here. The courtyard is currently a place where flowers are sold and dance evenings are held. It was recognized as a historical monument in 1921.

    Paris Gate

    Erected at the end of the XVII century. Their appearance was associated with the conquest of Lille by King Louis XIV. He ordered the gates to be built on the spot where the destroyed fortifications stood. The structure is a massive arch, in which the features of the Baroque are noticeable. It is decorated with sculptures of ancient gods and heroes. Attractions nearby: the Town Hall and the Ghent Hospital, which has become an upscale hotel.

    Paris Gate
    City Hall

    City Hall

    It was built in the first half of the XX century. It became a replacement for the former town hall, destroyed during the war. The author of the project is Emile Dubisson. The main materials are reinforced concrete and red brick. A bell tower has been erected nearby – the largest in Europe. The height is 104 meters. The columns at the base are made in the form of sculptures. Another feature is a powerful searchlight, the beam of which, according to rumors, "finishes" to Belgium. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Lille Chamber of Commerce

    Louis-Marie Cordonnier's project was completed in about 11 years by 1921. Many organizations that were previously based in the Old Exchange building have moved here. The facade has many decorative details, but they are unobtrusive. Thanks to the bell tower, the total height of the structure is 76 meters. Every 15 minutes there is a characteristic ringing. The Chamber of Commerce received the status of a historical monument in 2016.

    Lille Chamber of Commerce
    Opera House

    Opera House

    Louis Marie Cordonnier was responsible for the project. He won a competition to build a new opera house and completed the work by 1913. The architectural style is neoclassical. The roof and facade are decorated with sculptures. The First World War delayed the opening for 10 years, although the performances were unofficially staged. In 2003, after a major renovation, the building became available to the public again. The auditorium has about a thousand seats.

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Trey

    It was founded in 1854, the construction lasted for a century and a half. The architectural style is Neo–Gothic. The roof is made of marble panels, and the stained glass window of the facade was painted by Ladislas Kiino, a well–known contemporary artist. The height of the bell tower of the cathedral is about 100 meters, which allows you to notice the structure from different points of the city. The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, inside there is a statue of her dating from the XII century.

    Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Trey
    Saint-Maurice Church

    Saint-Maurice Church

    Or the Church of St. Maurice. Construction began in the XIV century and ended only 5 centuries later. This also affected the appearance: different architects brought their own details. Initially, the cathedral was supposed to receive the status of a cathedral, but it was overtaken by competitors. The project was completed by Philippe Cannissier, who made it more harmonious. The main value is the tabernacle of St. Maurice.

    Citadel of Lille

    The construction was completed in a few years by 1671. The Marquis de Vauban was engaged in the design. It has a pentagonal shape. When attacking one wall, the enemy was under fire from the other. Although the citadel is unique in its characteristics, it is not included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The reason is that the fortress is still an active military facility.

    Citadel of Lille
    Lille Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

    Lille Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

    It is located in the Villeneuve-d'asca Park. The main direction is art objects from the beginning of the XX century to the present day. The number of exhibits is approaching 5 thousand. In 2002, a new wing was added to the museum building. The exhibition space occupies 4 thousand m2. The collection includes works by Modigliani, Picasso, Calder. The Art Brut collection is the largest in France. The museum has an extensive library.

    Palace of Fine Arts

    The foundation can be considered 1792. The current collection originates from the gallery of the artist Louis Watteau, located at the Academy of Painting. The exhibition included 30 paintings. In 1809, a new program of popularization of art allowed the exposition to expand many times. Later sculptures, coins, ceramics were added to the painting. Currently, exhibitions are held in two buildings on Republic Square.

    Palace of Fine Arts
    Museum

    Museum "Hospital of the Countess"

    An alternative name is "Almshouse". It has existed in the city since the beginning of the XIII century. Countess Jeanne of Constantinople founded a hospital for the poor and maintained it. Several reconstructions have changed the initial appearance of the building. Later, a shelter was located here. At the turn of the 60-70s of the last century, the former hospital became a museum of Flanders. The exposition tells about the history, culture and art of the region.

    Lille Museum of Natural History

    Founded in 1822, the funds contain more than 500 thousand exhibits. The Museum has sections for many sciences, including geology, zoology, botany, and ethnography. One of the mini-exhibitions is dedicated to the industry of Lille: from its inception to the present day. The current building was dedicated to the exposition in 1902. New details are constantly being added to the attractionseeing tour, and there is also an interactive component.

    Lille Museum of Natural History
    Charles de Gaulle House Museum

    Charles de Gaulle House Museum

    It was opened in 1983. The building belongs to the foundation named after the first President of the Fifth Republic. De Gaulle was born here, was baptized in a church nearby. The exposition is divided into two sectors. The first is the living rooms, the second is the premises of the factory owned by the de Gaulle family. You can find out how the future president lived in childhood, as well as about his professional activities. In 1990, the house received the status of a historical monument.

    Koyo House

    It was built at the end of the XIX century. It is named after the master of ceramics, who commissioned the project. Materials atypical for that time were used in the exterior decoration. There are practically no straight lines in the exterior of the building. Koyo invented a special kind of ceramic tile, which also found a place in the design of the facade. It has been a historical monument since 1977. Currently owned by a private individual.

    Koyo House
    Lille-Saint-Sauveur Station

    Lille-Saint-Sauveur Station

    It was opened in 1848. It existed until 2003 and was closed because it lost its relevance. The authorities faced the question of using vast territories that were now to be empty. After public discussions, they created a recreation area, modernizing a number of premises and completing the necessary infrastructure. There are places for walking, bars, restaurants, shops.

    Lille Flanders

    The station itself has existed since 1842. It is the main one in the city. Communication is supported not only with nearby cities, but also with foreign ones, for example, with Belgian ones. Passenger traffic is large, although there is another station – Lille Europa. The construction of the station building was completed by 1892. The pediment is taken from the Gare du Nord in Paris. The building is recognized as a historical monument.

    Lille Flanders
    Pierre Mauroy Stadium

    Pierre Mauroy Stadium

    The home arena of the Lille Football Club was opened in 2012. The following year, the stadium received its current name – in honor of the former mayor of the city, who also held the post of prime minister. The capacity exceeds 50 thousand people. There is a retractable field and a sliding roof. In addition to football matches, music concerts of world-famous stars, such as Depeche Mode and Rihanna, are held here.

    Lille Zoo

    It has been in existence since 1950. The area is about 4 hectares . The territory is divided into 6 thematic sectors. The aviaries are home to about 70 species of animals and birds, there are exotic and rare. There are rules of conduct hanging at the entrance, which are read out to groups. They also give out a zoo plan, although it is difficult to get lost here. Admission is free all week, except Tuesday: this is the only day off, or rather, a preventive day.

    Lille Zoo
    Louvre Lens

    Louvre Lens

    Also called Louvre II. The museum is located in Lens, a city that is geographically close to Lille. Opened in 2012. The buildings were built near coal sites that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exhibits are taken from the storerooms of the Louvre in Paris. They are shown not according to the epoch, but according to a completely different classification, which allows you to compare works of art from different periods.