Lille

I’ve now been to Lille three times in the past year or so, each previous time, merely for the day. Only over the last weekend did we stay overnight. Why Lille? Well, rather like the reason dogs lick their naughty bits, it’s because we can. Lille is the first main stop in France on the Eurostar/TGV route from the Channel Tunnel – yes, I know you could get a train that stops at Calais (Fréthun), but that’s like getting out at Bristol Parkway and expecting to be in Bristol! Gare Lille-Europe arrives outside your train window 1 hour and 40 minutes after London Waterloo International disappears. Stage 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), ...  Read the complete review

I have just returned from a four-day trip to Lille. OK, I must admit that a major attraction was that you can get there on Eurostar and since I’ve been to Paris and Brussels several times, it seemed time to give Lille a chance. Well, I’m glad I did! Yes, I agree with the points, good and bad, made in the other ops but on the whole I had a good time and I will be returning. So, why? Lille is a city with a small town feel, but you need to be in the right area. Old Lille is charming, full of interesting shops, great little restaurants, wonderful old buildings etc. etc. ….. the rest is what you would expect of a city with more than a ...  Read the complete review

Lille is a large city in the Northern part of France, close to the border with Belgium. I recently visited this city with my mother and boyfriend, and as a result feel that I should strongly recommend it if you are looking for a short break at a less traditional destination. In terms of accessibility, Lille is an ideal place to go, as so little time needs to be spent travelling. Lille is a stopping point for the Eurostar on its way to Brussels or Paris, so if you are easily able to get to Waterloo, it is only a couple of hours away. We decided to go to Lille because I needed speaking practice for my A-Level French, and when we had been to Paris the ...  Read the complete review

I stopped in Lille last year on the way to Austria and stayed at a good hotel in the center of Lille for one night and one day going, and the same on return. Daytime wasn't too bad, could look around and what I saw was ok considering that I didn't know Lille. Looking at the architecture and just generally browsing around was interesting. I thought the people were not too friendly though outside, in fact going out after 9 pm was pretty much scary stuff as there were em! unsavoury characters in shop doorways and groups walking around who were not shall I say 'shopping'. None of the party felt too safe and a quick return to the hotel put us all ...  Read the complete review

Having visited Lille on a number of occasions I have been astounded by the beauty of the city itself. The main square is of interest as the ageing buildings tell a story of the city's past. The museums cover a number of aspects, not only from Lille's history but also other important factors such as the Museum of Religious Art and the Natural History museum. Lille not only provides such wonder but a superb array of shops, cafés and restaurants making it an enjoyable visit. Lille also has many parks such as the 'Le Bois de Boulogne' which is at close proximity to the city centre. The park combines leisure activities as well as a zoological park. ...  Read the complete review