36 Lille Facts You Should Know About This Ancient French City

Lille is a city that is situated in the northern part of France.

It is the main city of France's Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The city of Lille is located near the Belgium border.

Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, and the city is built on the Deûle River. Lille also has the third-largest business district in France. It also has a nickname: the 'Capital of Flanders', part of Romance Flanders, a former territory of Flanders.

Lille was a merchant city until the 16th century, when it transformed into a manufacturing city. While its historic architecture is being restored, many other areas are being demolished to construct urban spaces in the city. Read on to explore more interesting Lille facts, including more about its history, culture, and food.

Lille's History

Lille is a beautiful city in France which has a long and interesting history. Some Lille facts regarding its origin are mentioned below. 

• According to legend, Lille was founded by giants Phinaert and Lyderic in 640AD.
• The first written traces of Lille city appear in a document from 1066. 'L'Isle' was the name that first appeared in a donation charter of St. Peter's Collegiate Church by Baudoin V, who was the Count of Flanders in 1066.
• Boudoin V was the owner of a castle situated in Deûle River, on one of the islands.
• The town formed around the castle of the count, and surrounding a port that used to exist at the present-day Avenue du Peuple Belge.
• The development of Lille as a city was dependent on flourishing business connections with fairs of Champagne, Flanders, and the Netherlands.
• This further created a north-south traffic axis which was in contrast to the ancient Roman way.
• The city of Lille developed around the market square, which is now the Grand Place, the castrum, which is now called Old Lille, and the forum.
• The castrum or Old Lille was an urban center with the fortification of several watercourses.
• Lille was fortified by Count Baldwin IV of Flanders during the 11th century.
• Over the centuries, Lille was captured and controlled by many powers such as the Spanish, Burgundian, and the Flemish.
• In 1667, Louis XIV of France besieged the city of Lille and claimed it.
• Lille was then captured in 1708 by the Duke of Marlborough.
• It was in 1713 that Lille finally became part of the French Empire through the Treaty of Utrecht.
• During World Wars One and Two, German forces occupied the city for brief periods.

Lille's Culture And Food

Did you learn something new about the history of Lille? Well, Lille is a city with delicious French cuisine as well as culture, and these aspects are also interesting to read about. Some amazing Lille facts about its culture and food are listed below.

• Lille is considered to be northern France's significant cultural capital.
• In 2004, in addition to Italy's Genoa, Lille was also announced as the European Capital of Culture.
• The label 'Internet City' was awarded to Lille in the years 2007 and 2010.
• Vieux Lille, which is also known as the old city, is filled with Flemish architecture that portrays its Flemish roots.
• The inhabitants of Lille speak French, obviously, but they also have a dialect called 'Le Ch’ti'.
• Lille 3000 is a project that promotes local artists and the city's cultural heritage through various festivals and events.
• The city of Lille hosts La Grande Braderie, a type of street fair or flea market, every year on the first weekend of September, and it attracts thousands of people.
• Along with its highbrow culture, Lille is also a historic market town.
• A number of bars and coffee shops have sprouted in Lille over the past few years.
• Lille also has the usual terraces and cafes that are present in the high streets of many French cities. These places offer Lilloise cuisine, which includes carbonnade flamande, which comprises beef mixed with beer to make a stew with a sprinkling of gingerbread.
• Another dish that is part of Lilloise cuisine is mussels and French fries, enjoyed with a glass of beer.
• People can also enjoy Maroilles cheese tart in Lille, which is served in many restaurants and bakeries with French fries, salad, and sometimes with coffee.

Tourist Attractions In Lille

Although Lille is not as popular as some of the other well-known cities of France, it still has various spectacular places that visitors can admire and many landmarks. If you enjoyed reading about its culture and food, then read on to discover some of the city's incredible tourist attractions.

• Grand Place is the common name used to refer to the Général de Gaulle Square, which is situated in the north-east part of the city center.
• This bustling square is filled with both modern and historical buildings.
• It is a popular meeting place in the city of Lille.
• A fountain with the Column of the Goddess situated in this square is a famous landmark of Lille.
• Grand Place also has many restaurants and bars with open terraces where people can sit and relax while watching passersby.
• The Town Hall Belfry has the highest vantage point in the whole of Lille and boasts a 360° panoramic view of the whole city.
• The Town Hall Belfry is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was built in classic Flemish style during the early 20th century as part of the reconstruction of the town hall, which was devastated during World War One.
• The old city is filled with narrow, quaint cobblestone streets bordered by historic brick houses.
• Old Lille boasts various landmarks, such as the opera house, Old Stock Exchange building, as well as Charles de Gaulle's birthplace.
• The Old Stock Exchange is one of the most exceptional buildings in Lille. This building is a great example of 17th century Flemish Renaissance-style architecture.
• The Old Stock Exchange has an arched courtyard which is enclosed by 24 small houses. Tango and salsa dance performances are held during the summer season in the courtyard of this historical monument, and florist stalls, chess players' tables, and a market of second-hand books are also held there.
• Lille Palace of Fine Arts is a museum built in 1892, in the Belle Epoque style, featuring drawings, sculptures, and paintings from antiquity to the modern age. It is known as one of the biggest fine arts museums in France.
• This museum houses some very famous art pieces, such as Pablo Picasso's 'Olga In Fur Collar', Eugene Delacroix's 'Medea', and Jacques Louis David's 'Belisarius Begging For Alms'.
• Parc de la Citadelle is the largest green space in Lille, enclosed by the Deûle canal.
• Parc de la Citadelle houses several landmarks, such as Lille Zoo, the Boulogne Wood, the Vauban Garden, Lille Citadel, and so on. It also has Citi-Parc, which is a small amusement park.
• An urban district, Euralille, blends residential areas, a business district, dining and shopping outlets, entertainment facilities, and hotels into a modern urban complex.
• It is a very happening place, with boutiques and restaurants to visit, as well as various concerts and other events often held in Euralille.
• Marche de Wazemmes is a popular market in Lille that offers both local and exotic products to visitors.
• The market has many stalls for different types of products such as antiques, toys, clothing, household items, food items like cheese and fresh fruits, and so on.