Lille

Lille straddles the canalised Deûle in Hauts-de-France, and its position near the Belgian border has made it a trading and transport centre between France and Flanders. The Grand'Place, formally Place du Général-de-Gaulle, is edged by Flemish-influenced façades, including the 17th-century Vieille Bourse. Nearby, the Citadel of Lille was built for Louis XIV after France captured the city in 1667; its star-shaped design reflects the work of military engineer Vauban. The old centre still bears traces of centuries spent within Flanders and the Spanish Netherlands. Each September, the Braderie de Lille fills the streets with one of Europe's largest flea markets. See how Lille connects with French Flanders and northern France by browsing webcams nearby.

Generated by AI