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Lovely city of Lille

7th April 2006

The former Flemish city of Lille is a fantastic choice of destination for a weekend break, with grand architecture, interesting attractions and a vibrant atmosphere.

Lille has been part of France for 350 years, yet the architecture and cobbled streets of the attractive medieval centre offer a glimpse of its Flanders past.

One of the city's top attractions, the beautiful Hospice Comtesse, includes a museum of Flemish art, furniture and ceramics, in addition to a lovely garden and chapel. The former hospital, dating back to the 12th century, also hosts a variety of concerts throughout the year.

The neo-Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille and the Gothic St-Maurice church are popular with visitors and are further examples of the fabulous architecture in Lille.

Art lovers are very well catered for; with the highly regarded Musee d'Art Moderne housing works by Picasso, Braque and Derain, while pieces by Monet and Renoir are part of the collection at the Musee des Beaux-Arts.

The Flemish influence can also be found in the local cuisine of Lille, with Belgian beers, mussels and oysters on offer in many of the city's excellent restaurants.

There are plenty of attractions in Lille to keep visitors very busy, while events such as the Christmas Market running from November 22nd until December 27th ensure that the city always has a lively and friendly atmosphere.

© Adfero Ltd

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