The Lille Lesquin International Airport is small but convenient for entering Lille or travelling on to nearby areas across the border in Belgium. Both major and budget airlines operate scheduled services. Unlike larger airports there is hardly any walking as the checkins are directly inside the entrance and the security gates are directly behind the checkins. However, there may be a walk from the gate area to the aeroplane if it is parked on the taxiway rather than at a jetway. A direct coach connects to central Lille (stops outside the main railway station) in 20 minutes, and runs once an hour costing 7 Euros (return ticket is 9 Euros). A taxi would cost about 20 Euros.
There are two main line railway stations. Lille Flandres is where the local trains and the TGVs from Paris arrive. Just about everything else (including other TGVs and the Eurostars from Brussels and London) arrive at Lille Europe. Both stations are just a few hundred yards apart, located either side of the EuraLille shopping mall.
The journey to [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki] takes little more than 30 minutes, to [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki] about an hour, and to [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki] about an hour and 25 minutes following the new high speed train link to London St Pancras which opened in October 2007.
If you come in by ferry from Calais, train connections run fairly regularly, though it can be hard to get accurate times online. The journey takes about an hour and a half. ([url=http://www.voyages-sncf.com/leisure/fr/launch/home/]SNCF website[/url] allows one to check train timetables)
Lille is also linked by TGV (fast trains) to Lyon (3 hours), Nantes (4 hours), Strasbourg (3.20 hours) and Marseille (5 hours).
It is possible to travel inexpensively from [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki] by taking a domestic train directly to the border town of [wiki=01cf274d3f6c84b2b6aa037415c6e2fd]Herseaux[/wiki], from which one can take the MWR bus (on Lille's public transport network, stop 200m away from Herseaux station, 1.5 Euro ticket), which will connect you with Lille's red metro line.
If you are travelling from [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki], [wiki=d7349271c7361529855310fea9d7099a]Eurostar[/wiki] is the best option to reach [wiki=c56e94a98504ed36e241a010edc8d0de]Lille[/wiki] through the Channel Tunnel and it will take around an hour and a half from London St Pancras International Station to Lille by Eurostar. These Eurostar trains usually continue to [wiki=068a0b5b2858dc3f1ac7b47464bc4b0a]Brussels[/wiki].
Lille has two subway lines that connect the centre of the city with several suburbs. It also has many bus lines that go throughout the city and two lines of cable trains that go to Roubaix and Tourcoing which are other important cities of the region.
*[url=http://www.transpole.fr/index.aspx?m=0]Transpole[/url] Public transportation in Lille, In French, English and Dutch.
La Vieille Bourse (1653). Right between two picturesque squares, Place du Général-de-Gaulle and Place du Théâtre, this former commercial exchange still plays a central part in the life of the city. You may find booksellers and flower markets in the inner court.
*The main square, Place du Général-de-Gaulle, better known as the "Grand'place", has many lovely historic houses, like the neo-Flemish headquarters of local newspaper La Voix du Nord, and a fountain with the statue of a goddess, "la Grande Déesse" (1843).
*Place Rihour, surrounded by restaurants, houses the tourist information centre inside its main attraction, the Palais Rihour (1453).
*The town hall is worth a look and can be combined nicely with a visit to the Porte de Paris (1692).
*The Opera (1923) and the Chamber of Commerce (1921) are located close together and offer magnificent sights, especially when lit-up at night.
*Take a stroll through the old quarter of the city, known as Vieux Lille, and enjoy the quiet, cobble-stone streets, the variety of stylish designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and the modern Cathédrale Notre Dame de la Treille. More notable streets like Rue de la Monnaie and Rue Esquermoise are definitely worth the trip.
*A bit farther from the city centre is la Citadelle, an interesting example of defensive military architecture, built by Vauban, a famous French military architect, under the reign of Louis the Fourteenth. In the same area is a zoo (free of charge) and a lovely park.
Musée des Beaux-Arts [http://www.musenor.com/gm/gmlillea.htm], a famed museum covering European art from 15th - 20th century.
*Museum of Natural History, a large collection of stuffed mammals, insects, fossils, etc.
*Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, a former hospital now presenting art.
*Musée d'Art et d' Industrie de Roubaix : La Piscine, a 20th century art museum hosted in a beautiful "Art déco" (start of 20th century) former swimming pool.
*LAM - Lille Art Modern Museum, modern art, outsider art, contemporary art.
The subway in the long-distance train station Lille Europe is an attraction on its own. In the large stairway's hall, the walls are entirely covered with a big mural.
*The annual Christmas Market (on Place Rihour, opposite the tourist office) is a must for visitors. From mid-November till a few days after Christmas, check for opening days and times.
As a student city, there are many schools and universities. You can attend bachelor, master degrees in Lille or ask for a student exchange.
*Business schools: [url=http://www.esc-lille.com]ESC-Lille[/url], [url=http://www.edhec.com]Edhec[/url], IAE Lille, [url=http://www.ieseg.fr/]IESEG School of Management[/url], etc..
*Engineer: Centrale Lille, ENSAM, Ig2I, ICAM, [url=http://www.isen.fr]ISEN[/url] etc..
*University: [url=http://ustl1.univ-lille1.fr/projetUstl/]Lille 1 (Scientific)[/url] , [url=http://193.51.139.83/w3/]Lille 2 (Medicine,Law,Political Science,Management,Sports)[/url] (and the [url=http://195.83.2.11/]IEP Lille[/url]), [url=http://www.univ-lille3.fr/portail/index.php]Lille 3 (Human Sciences, Arts and Letters)[/url], [url=http://www.univ-catholille.fr/presentation/welcome.asp]Lille Catholic University (Multi-disciplinary)[/url]
For any foreign students wishing to come to Lille, the following website could come in handy : [url=http://www.crous-lille.fr/international.php]Web Site du Crous[/url]
ICL-Clarife is the language centre for the Institut Catholic de Lille, France's largest private university. Located in the heart of Lille, ICL-Clarife organises complete French language and civilisation study programmes for non-Francophones. [url=http://www.icl-lille.fr/icl-clarife/]Web Site ICL-Clarife[/url]
* French/English Language Exchange event in Lille, every week in some of the best venues across Lille. Practice your French while having a good time meeting locals. Discover the format of 14 minutes one-to-one conversations (7min in French, 7 min in English).
Le Flams (8 rue du Pas, near "La Grand PLace"). From 11.90€ for the delicious "all you can eat" flammekueche set (an Alsacian speciality with crème fraîche, onions, and bacon on a thin crust of dough) [http://www.flams.fr/resto/lille/lille.html]
*This pâtisserie has all sorts of goodies, including the best croissants in Lille.
You can try some of Lille's famous "estaminets" (typical restaurants): For instance, rue de Gand has two nice restaurants : T'Rijsel and Chez la vieille. The atmosphere is very pleasant, and you can taste some of Lille's typical dishes : Potje'vleesch, Carbonade flamande etc. However, due to their popularity, it is strongly recommended to book a table two or three days in advance.
*Brasserie Flore (place Rihour, just beside La Chicorée, near 'Rihour' subway station) offering set menus from 13,50€, with a large choice of good meals
*Crowne Plaza Euralille (335, Boulevard de Leeds, 59777 Euralille) Newly opened in December 2002, this modern hotel has light airy rooms with long rectangular windows, giving excellent view over the city of Lille. Opposite Lille Europe train station, just a short walk to the historic heart of the city. Restaurant offering excellent buffet meals and "à la carte". [http://www.bookings.net/hotel/fr/crowneplazaeuralille.en.html?aid=308087]
*La Chicorée (place Rihour, just beside le Flore, near 'Rihour' subway station) menus from 13,50€, food served nearly 24/24 and 7/7... Typical meals, typical beers. But do not expect to find excellent food here: this restaurant may just be useful if you don't know where to have dinner at 3 in the morning. Do not miss the awesome plate collection on the walls. Each was signed by an artist or a famous person, as La Chicorée is the place were they usually eat after the show. You might even meet someone famous if you try it after 2 or 3 am! It's also the place where a lot of casual people eat at night, after work or after a show. It's of course rather popular with tourists, but if you wish to appreciate Lille's cuisine at its best, try some other place.
*L'Omnia (9 Rue Esquermoise) You won't miss the entrance of this restaurant/bar, which is situated close to la Grand Place. Ramps and murals combine to create a perspective that makes you feel like you're Alice in Wonderland. Inside the decor appeals to the same childish sense of wonder- all red lights and plush, appropriate to this ex-theatre and ex-brothel (you'll find the history of the building on the placemats). The food itself is affordable - the lunch time menu starts from 9 euros. The 'potjevles' are a regional speciality recommended only for the more adventurous. Alternatives include the chicken tikka skewers. The bar also seems to be very proud of their wide range of beers, and the wine is reasonably priced and good.
*Pubstore (44 rue de la Halle) This somewhat intimate restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner. Candles on each table make it a nice spot for couples to have a quiet dinner. The menu, found under the glass tabletop, is full of diverse, delicious dishes. Each dish also has a clever name, usually a play on words.
*L’ Gaïette (30, rue Masséna) The menu in this restaurant focuses on regional specialties and is written in Ch'ti, the local patois/dialect. Great food and a warm, friendly waitstaff make this restaurant a great place to have dinner.
* Aux Moules (Rue de Bethune) Good mussels, busy but good service. Lunch or dinner.
* Les Trois Brasseurs(Place de la Gare) Original micro brasserie, now a nationwide chain. Good beers and local menu Carbonade flamande etc. Busy with lively atmosphere, close to Railway stations. Try a 'Palette' selection of beers.
Le Compostelle, rue saint-Etienne, may offer some good dishes in a beautiful environment.
The Barbue d'Anvers (rue St Etienne) Flemish cuisine
*L'Huitriere (rue des Chats Bossus) Behind the early XXth century "art-nouveau" fish store lies one of the best seafood and fish restaurants in the country, appreciated by many famous people.