Lille

Entry/Visa
When travelling to Lille there are no requirements for a visa. You will have to bring a valid passport.

Vaccines
There are no special vaccinations necessary when travelling to Lille other than the standard vaccinations.

Climate
Lille has an oceanic climate. During summer between June and August the temperature ranges from 20°C to 36°C. During spring and autumn there is more rainfall and temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C. The Winters get somewhat colder with temperatures ranging from 0°C and 10°C.

Currency
The currency in Lille is Euros.

Language
The language spoken in Lille is French however most locals also speak English and other European languages.

Telephone reception
Lille has very good reception therefore you will have no problem using your domestic telephone.

Customs / Culture
The name Lille comes from the French “L’île” meaning the island as the town was situated on an island. The village was founded by the Flemish in 1030. During the Middle Ages Lille was the capital of Flanders and later in 1312 given to France. Following this it once belonged to the Spanish and Austrians before it returned to the French in 1667. During both World Wars Lille however, was damaged and occupied by the Germans.

Traditions
Some traditions which reflect upon Lille’s history are:
- The “Franche Foire” in which Tourcoing’s craftsmen who made the finest linen in Flanders are rewarded.
- The “Fete des Berlouffles” day is a festival in which people pay respect to the tragic episode of the civil.
- The “Allumoirs” in which the locals celebrate the arrival of the long-nighted winters.
- “La Braderie” which is the biggest flea market in Europe.
Due to the rich history that Lille has there are many more traditions which can be found.

Religion
Due to the hectic history Lille has experienced there are also many religions practiced. 86% of the population are Roman Catholic, 8% are Muslin, 2% Protestant, 1% Jewish and 3% unaffiliated.

Airports / Car rental
Lille has its own airport “Lille airport” which has domestic and international flights coming in and out on a daily basis. The airport is located in “Lille-Lesquin” about 7 km away from Lille, and about 15 km from the city center of Lille. You can rent a car at the airport without further problems.

Public transport
Lille has a very modern public transportation system, the most modern one in the whole of France. Locals and visitors can travel via buses, trams and the metro system. The “Lille Metro” is the first automatic metro line in the world under the “VAL” system. This metro system has two lines enabling easy travelling opportunities. The tram has more of an interurban system connecting central Lille to surrounding areas. Within the city there are various bus routes therefore it is easy to get everywhere using these transportation systems.

Taxis / Infrastructure
Of course there are also various taxis rotating in Lille, to find these one has to simply go to a taxi stand or order a taxi which can be done at the hotel resort or by calling the taxi service.

Events
There are many events in Lille which also demonstrate the local lifestyle. Amongst these events you can find:
- Lille Battlefields tour held from April 2nd until October 30th
- Foire aux Manèges Funfair held from August 1st until September 2nd
- Lille 3000 held from August 13th until August 15th
- Lille Heritage Days held from September 1st until September 30th
- Grand Braderie Flea Market held from September 2nd until September 4th
- ID Creative Expo Lille held from September 29th until October 2nd
- Lille International Short Film Festival held from October 18th until October 23rd
- Construire Natural Expo-Green Building Expo held from November 4th until November 7th
- Envies Culinares held from November 10th until November 13th
- Lille Wine Fair held from November 18th until November 21st
- Lille Christmas Market held from November 24th until December 30th



Culinary Specialities
Lille is one of the areas in France which provides real traditional French food as well as some food which has Flemish influence. The most local specialties include:
- “Waterzoi au poisson” which is a creamy sole and vegetable soup.
- “Potjevlessch” which is a cold dish of rabbit, veal and ham
- “Carbonade Flamande” which is a beer based beef stew.
Some sweet specialties include the legendary waffles “gaufres” or “Tarte à cassonade”, “crème caramel” and many other sweet delights. A typical specialty is the cheese. When in Lille it is highly recommended to try the range of delicious chesses such as “Vieux Lille” or “Mimolette” for example. There are many other types of dishes and drinks from the local cuisine in Lille which one can try.

Lifestyle
Lille is known to be a city in which people enjoy an excellent quality of life. A legacy in terms of buildings has been left due to Lille’s rich industrial heritage. The government in Lille takes great care in making sure that the traffic problems which are present in many other major cities do not occur in Lille. The locals of Lille take great care in keeping the city a clean natural area on a daily basis.

Sights
In Lille there are very many architectural sights to be visited which are mainly influenced by the Flemish flair. Some of the most interesting and famous monuments are:
- Lille Cathedral
- Citadel of Lille
- Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
- Jardin botanique de la Faculté de Pharmacie
- Jardin botanique Nicolas Boulay
- Jardin des Plantes de Lille