Old Lille & Main square
Remarkably restored, the Old town enchants the eye with its flamboyant architecture. The softly dare facades that set off the exuberance and profusion of their decoration. The extraordinary diversity of the 17th century architecture is an invitation to saunter; so look up to appreciate the perfect harmony of brick and stone.
The Lillois’ favourite meeting place offers an interesting view of the architecture from the 17th to the 20th century. Standing in the centre of the square stands the Goddess which commemorates Lille’s resistance to the Austrian siege in 1792. In front the Old Stock Exchange, built from 1652 to 1653, is undoubtly the town’s finest building. This building is made up of 24 little houses around an arched courtyard. A second-hand book market as well as chess players can be seen inside. On this square is situated the Grand Garde. The building was used to house soldiers from the sentry guard. It is now the Théâtre du Nord.
The Town Hall and its belfry
It was built from 1924 to 1932 by the architect Emile Dubuisson who was inspired by the triangular-gabled Flemish houses. Its 104 meters-high belfry is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Wazemmes Market
With food, flowers, fabrics, and exotic products, it’s one of the biggest markets in France, and perhaps one of the liveliest (up to 50,000 people some Sundays). Colourful, with a “Soho” atmosphere, you’ll often hear an accordion being played.
Only on tuesday, thursday and sunday from 9 a.m to 1 p.m
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Museums
¤ Lille Fine Arts Museum
Due to the size of its permanent collections, the Palais des Beaux-Arts is considered to be one of the best general-interest museum in France. The 22 000 m² area houses prestigious collections of 15th to 20th European paintings, 19th century French sculptures, ceramics and relief maps of fortified towns.
¤ La Piscine (Roubaix)
In the exceptional surroundings of what used to be A. Baert’s 1932 Art Deco swimming baths, the Museum of Art and Industry offers its visitors an original setting for its collections of applied arts (drawings, textiles and ceramics) and fine-arts (19th and 20th Centuries paintings and sculptures).
¤ LaM (Villeneuve d’Ascq)
After more than 4 years of renovation and extension work, the Museum of Modern Art of Lille Métropole is reopening with a new name LaM. Its two fine architectural complexes surrounded by a sculpture park, henceforth house three prestigious collections of: modern art (Picasso, Léger, Miro, Modigliani…), contemporary art (Buren, Deacon, Messager…) and a unique collection of Outsider Art (Lesage, Wölfli, Forestier…).
