City Guide: Lille

LILLE is caught in confusion of cultures.

When traveling to Lille, you will be pushed to discern whether it is a truly French city or it is grounded in the medieval days of Flanders' cities. More than 350 years ago Lille was a part of historic Flanders region embracing France, Netherlands and Belgium, so today its is still reminiscent of the cobbled streets in Brussels and immense squares like in Amsterdam.

Lille took the best of foreign influences and today it is open to your visit. Be it a room in cheap hotel in Lille to a luxury-appointed room all available at Booked.net. Our listings include maps, photos and secure forms on each hotel.

All this cultural variety in Lille was for a long time unfairly underrated as Lille served as a poor cousin to bustling Paris. Placed en-route to French capital, Lille long set in the shadow of its romantic neighbor as a mere stop on the way. But things changed with time and so it happened that Lille developed into attractive destination.

Nowadays, Lille is a real blend of favorites from exquisite shops, upscale restaurants and grand churches. Its neo-Gothic Notre Damme de la Treille Cathedral is still less sophisticated that its counterpart in Paris yet it pays a great tribute to the unique local cityscape.

If you are passionate for art than you are on a right way while visiting Lille. This city is a real depository of art masterpieces that makes even the famous Louvre in Paris lose its nerve. From works by artists like Picasso, Braques and Derains at the Musée des Beaux-Arts to more contemporary exhibitions at the Musée d'Art Moderne, Lille has something for everyone.

Other attractions include;

• Place du Général-de-Gaulle, the most historic house in all of the city

• Place Rihour, a cluster of restaurants, historic houses and the tourist information center housed there

• Vieux Lille, an old-world area packed with old buildings taking turns to stylish designer shops

• Museum of Natural History features a collection of mammals, insects, and fossils

• Musée d'Art et d' Industrie de Roubaix offers displays on 20th century art

When it comes to old Lille it is best for strolling, but if you shift focus to modern Lille, it tastes better on a visit to local restaurant. The city is known for its upscale cuisine with a heavy focus on seafood and draft Belgian beer is on tap there at every bar.

Looking around its pretty heart, you will see that Lille packed itself with cutting-edge amenities and pulsating nightlife scene, yet left the same the city will take you deep into its history which extends back to when it was founded in 1066. It served as a capital of the County of Flanders and then often changed hands from French to Spanish and back again. Its heyday was in the 19th century when developed into industrial hub, but this progress declined after the world wars.

Today Lille serves as the fourth largest city in France and offers the best options for your stay there. Booked.net can place you in any hotel in Lille with a few clicks.