Lille (pronounced Leel) is France’s fifth largest and most northerly city. Lille sits on the France-Belgium border and much of its urban area sprawl actually crosses over into Belgium. The city of Lille is a major manufacturing and transportation hub, linking France to Belgium and the Netherlands. Lille has a reputation in France as a hard working and hard drinking city with a preference for beer over wine. It has a large student population as well as being a major industrial base. Situated on a plain between the North Sea and the Ardennes Forest, Lille has seen many invasions. It was captured by the Germans during World War One and was the route taken by the Nazis in World War Two. Jacques Chirac is one of Lille’s most famous sons.

Official Visitor Site for Lille