Lille

Lille is a city in northern France, the prefecture of the Nord department and the capital of the Hauts-de-France region. It lies on the Deûle river near the Belgian border and forms the core of the Lille metropolitan area, whose population is around 1.2 million. The city is a historic transport and commercial hub with a diverse cultural life.

Founded in the 12th century as a Flemish borough, Lille developed as a textile and trading centre linking the Low Countries with France. It changed hands several times before being captured by France in 1667 during the War of Devolution and later fortified by Vauban. Its historic core preserves Flemish influences, with landmarks such as Grand Place, Vieille Bourse, and the belfries listed by UNESCO as a shared Belgium-France heritage site.

The city houses the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, one of France’s largest art museums, with collections from the old masters to modern works. Other notable sites include the Citadel, a 17th-century Vauban fort, Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral, and the Grand’Place quarter. The Braderie de Lille, held annually in September, is one of Europe’s largest street markets.

Lille is a university city, hosting the Université de Lille and several research institutions. Its economy, once dominated by textiles, now spans services, logistics, digital industries, and retail. The Euralille district and large shopping centres anchor a diversified urban economy.

In transport terms, Lille is a major rail hub served by Lille-Europe and Lille-Flandres stations with high-speed links to Paris and Brussels. The city also has the Lille Métro (VAL), tram lines, buses, and freight canals that connect it regionally.