Lille and its metropolitan area, the elegance of the North
One hour from Paris, London and Brussels, Lille combines the energy of a major European city with a rare quality of life. Historic districts, leafy towns and a thriving cultural scene: discover in four chapters what makes the capital of Flanders so charming.
Vieux-Lille
In the north of the city, Vieux-Lille watches over Lille's oldest heritage. Cobbled streets, gently leaning Flemish facades, pedestrian lanes lined with terraces: here, life is lived on foot, and it pays to look up.
Exceptional heritage
The district is home to most of the city's pre-19th-century buildings, around the Opera, Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral and the Hospice Comtesse museum.
Neighbourhood life
The market, boutiques, renowned shops and the conservatory are just a few steps away, as are the train station and the metro. The nearby Bois de Boulogne welcomes joggers and cyclists.
Sought-after properties
As Lille's most elegant address, Vieux-Lille appeals to families, couples and students alike: townhouses with gardens, character apartments on Rue Royale, studios with exposed beams.
Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Around ten minutes east of Lille, Villeneuve-d'Ascq has become one of the metropolitan area's major attractions. Parks, lakes and varied architecture make it a green town, popular with those looking for peace and quiet without giving up easy access to Lille.
Sport
The Grand Stade hosts international events, and the town has three 18-hole golf courses, including Le Sart and Brigode.
Culture
The LAM, a museum of modern, contemporary and outsider art, draws a wide audience, as shown by the great success of its Modigliani exhibition.
Real estate
Architect-designed houses with pools, 1950s homes surrounded by century-old trees, former stables converted into country lofts.
The Lille way of life
Lille offers the energy of a big city without sacrificing quality of life. Renowned for their hospitality, Lille residents love to entertain family and friends, and enjoy a wealth of leisure activities close at hand at the weekend.
Cultural heritage
European Capital of Culture in 2004, Lille has since become a cultural destination in its own right. Major exhibitions devoted to Modigliani, Chagall, Murakami and Jeff Koons reflect the city's appetite for art, while Lille attracts many students from all over France every year.
Le Louvre-Lens
The regional branch of the world's most famous museum, less than an hour from Lille.
Villa Cavrois
An Art Deco masterpiece by Robert Mallet-Stevens, beautifully restored, in Croix.
La Piscine in Roubaix
A museum of art and industry housed in a former Art Deco swimming pool.
The LAM and the Tri Postal
Modern and contemporary art in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, major exhibitions in the heart of Lille.
The Opera and the Zénith
A regular programme of music, theatre and shows for all audiences.
Your new life in Lille
Whether you dream of a character apartment in Vieux-Lille or a peaceful architect-designed house, the BARNES Lille team will help you find the property that suits you.
The most sought-after towns in the Lille metropolitan area The most sought-after towns in the Lille metropolitan area
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