What to see in Lille: 5 places you should not miss in the French city, including the Cathedral, the famous Museum of Fine Arts and the central Piazza Grande.
Industrial city in the northeast of France, Lille It is the capital of the North department. Prepare your itinerary in the city taking into account all its attractions, because there really is something for everyone: a museum for those who want to delve deeper into the history of the French city, but also places of worship worthy of an important city. for France from the religious point of view; Once again, places of historical importance for the city are opened, such as the main square and the suggestive citadel; green spaces and zoos. In this guide we offer you the 5 attractions that you should not miss on a tour of the Flemish city on French soil.
Piazza Grande
The main landmark of Lille is the "grand square", Great place, also known as General de Gaulle Square. It is a meeting place and stopover for city residents and tourists discovering the cities of northeastern France. In the center you will find the statue in memory of the Austrian siege of 1792.
In this square you will find one of the most beautiful and symbolic buildings of Lille, the old Pocket, a large building of ocher color on a red background, in the center of which stands a small red pinnacle that supports the statue of Mercury. One of its main functions at the time of its construction (in 1652) was to accommodate merchants who did their business in Lille. The palace is a beautiful example of XNUMXth century architecture, with fine decorations on a red background, both on the exterior and in the interior patio, which recall the decorative motifs on the façade.
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the most important museums in all of France is the Museum of Fine Arts from Lille. It is located in Piazza della Repubblica, housed in a large white building built in the 19th century. The artistic collection you will find is of extraordinary rarity and will provide you with one of the most fascinating visits to Lille.
On the lower floors there are works dating from ancient civilizations, such as Greek and Egyptian statues. Also, just to give you an idea of the works of modern and contemporary art, in this museum you will admire the products of the geniuses of Pieter Bruegel and Rembrandt; and then reach the paintings of Eugène Delacroix; For lovers of 19th and 20th century art, don't miss the works of Édouard Manet and Claude Monet. Resisting is impossible.
Notre-Dame de la Treille
We cannot fail to mention a fundamental place for the Christian religion and of historical-artistic interest for all: the cathedral of Our Lady of Treille. It has a unique history. The first project of 1853 was majestic and would have given Lille one of the largest religious structures in the city. However, it was not carried out and we continued with another project of no less importance that was not completed until the nineties, with the construction of the façade (in fact, the difference in style between the latter and other areas of the church is noticeable). . , internal and external).
Il Bell tower of Lille Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Nicholas and was not part of the original project: it was built in a very short time (according to the documents, less than a month) and several years later it was chosen as the cornerstone of the bell tower. of the structure. Always outside, look carefully at the large door dedicated to Saint Joseph, there the entire genealogy of Jesus Christ is represented, as described in the Gospel of Matthew.
If you then enter, the show continues: visit the chapels, especially the oldest one, dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Treille, but also the Chapelle Saint Joseph, the Chapelle Sainte Jeanne d'Arc and the golden Chapelle du Sacré Coeur de Jésus. At the heart of Lille Cathedral lies another rarity: the code The largest in France and probably in Europe (it measures approximately 2.500 mXNUMX; unfortunately, it cannot be visited from the inside).
Church of Saint Maurice
In addition to the cathedral, Lille is another central place for the Catholic religion. This is the church of San Maurizio. It is a splendor in the eyes of the visitor, a unique beauty that a single glance at the exterior façade will leave you amazed. The church is a masterful example of the Gothic from the 14th century, although some of its parts, such as the tower, were built in later times.
Admire the grandeur of the interior, walking between the tall, solid columns and admiring the works that adorned the church after the French Revolution. The ancient and more modern frescoes are very beautiful: in particular, we suggest you look at the one on the altar of Saint Barbara.
The citadel of Lille
But Lille is not just museums and churches. Visit the jewel in the heart of the city, its citadel. This architectural complex was built between 1667 and 1670 on the way to the conquest of the city by the king of France. Louis XIV. It is located in one of the most beautiful parks in the city. The construction extends on a pentagonal base, which can be visited through guided tours as it is one of the areas guarded by the French army.
The citadel appears to be built on an island because the waters of the river surround it, almost separating it from the rest of the mainland. The surrounding park contains the Lille Zoo and the amusement park Les Poussins, two of children's favorite attractions. But there are still many places and monuments to discover in Lille, for travelers who have at least a few days available to visit the city a little more in depth.
