My holiday in Lille

My holiday in Lille on May, is perhaps not as exciting and romantic as a trip to Paris, but it is nevertgheless a city with distinguishing qualities. A tour of Lille reveal a charming mix of French and Flemish features, and a historic core that is filled with impressive architecture, squares and cobblestone streets.

Lille Attractions
1, Musee des Beaux-Arts, housed in a beautiful 19th century building, this is one of the most important museum in France. The displays contain exceptional European paintings; sculptures; 17th and 18th century ceramics from all over europe; a department of the Middles Ages and Renaissance; and an important collection of drawings. There is so much to see and learn here.

2, Notre-Dame-de-la Treille, located just off rue de la Monnaie. The body of this cathedral is a fairly homogeneous, but not unattractive, neo Gothic construction begun in 1854, but the new facade, completed in 1999, is completely differnet, Its a translucent marble front supported by steel wires, best appreciated from inside, or at night wehn lit up from within.

3, The Distillery, this building became distillery in 1817. Classified historic building since 1999, the distillery manufactures according to an old method a grain alcohol (rye and barley malted). Here distillation, passing by cooking.

Lille Restaurants
Aux Moules, 34 rue de Bethune. The best restaurant in Lille to eat mussels and it's been serving them since 1930 in its Art Deco-style interior. Nothing costs much over 8 Euro, including the other brasserie fare, and it's all excellent value. It is very popular with locals and tourists alike and is highly recommended.

Le Compostelle, 4 rue St-Etienne. this trendy restaurant in a renovated Renaissance palace, with its designer furniture and conspicuous olive-tree has some unusual dishes, such as turbot in beer, The food is excellent and the menus are reasonably priced, 20~30 Euro.

Lille parks and gardens
Manoir de l'Estracelles, this manor dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Located in the manor are two 18th Century barns, and historical monuments, surrounded by rare birds and plants not native to the area. This is a great place to relax and take a break from signtseeing around town.

Jardin des Plantes, found on the south side of Lille, this is a great place to take a relaxing wark through this beautiful garden. Open to the public since 1948, it has a stylish greenhouse displaying tropical plants from South America, housed in an all-year round tropical heatwave.

WHEN There is no real bad time to visit Lille, although the peak tourist season tends to be spring (March to June) and autumn (September to december). In November and December the Christmas markets are a popular attraction.

Lille has become a popular weekend destination for those travelling from London on the Eurostar, but anyone who enjoys the ambience of a medieval old town, with its Grand Place at its centre, will enjoy a break in Lille. Those with a taste for Belgian beer will also not be disappointed.

Where to stay Hotels in Lille
Express by Holiday Inn Lille, this hotel has all the convenience you can expect from 3 star establishment.
Crowne Plaza Euralille is located in central Lille near the train stations, the shopping district, and the International Trade Centre. It is ideal for a stay in the Flander’s Capital.