Hostels in LILLE, FRANCE

Lille France - City of Culture with Lively Ambiance

Chosen as the European City of Culture in 2004, Lille in France is known for its active lifestyle and wonderful culture. With a huge student population to its credit, the city has a youthful environment. Architectural marvels, museums and a variety of hotels, restaurants and cafes add to the pleasure of being in the city.

Accommodation Options
Budget hotels in Lille city offer clean rooms and guest-friendly services. The city centre has a number of luxury hotels with many comfort-oriented amenities for the guests. Lille Europe station too has good accommodation options in its vicinity. Bed and breakfast in Lille options are available in plenty and promise a comfortable stay. You can search for Lille hotels within different budget ranges on the internet. French is the official language spoken in the city, but you can find guides and hotel staffs interacting in English.

History
The earliest inhabitants of the region date back to 2000 BC. The city is known to have been established as L'Isle in 640. Various inhabitants, including the Menapians, the Saxons, the Franks and the Flanders ruled the city till the 12th century. Starting from the 13th century, the city faced struggle for power between the French and the Spanish forces. In 1668, the city finally became a French territory.

The industrial revolution played a significant role in the city’s growth and its textile industry attained great heights. Lille has been an important part of the historical events like the French Revolution, and the two World Wars. The industrial significance of the city declined in the later part of the 20th century, but it has emerged as a cultural and tourism destination.

Popular Places
Lille Cathedral is among the most popular places to visit in the city. The pentagon shaped Citadel of Lille and the famous botanical garden called Jardin botanique de la Faculté de Pharmacie are other attractions. Two other botanical gardens of the city are Jardin botanique Nicolas Boulay and Jardin des Plantes de Lille. Place du Général-de-Gaulle is the main square of the city and it accommodates a number of historical houses with architectural beauty. Rue Esquermoise and many other streets are worth visiting to view the Flemish architectural influence.

Getting Around
Subway lines connect different parts of the city. You can choose among the transportation facilities offered by the bus lines and cable trains. Walking tours can be joined to explore the architecture and culture of the city along with a guide.

Places of Entertainment
A trip to Lille is incomplete without exploring the city’s museums. Musée des Beaux-Arts for European Arts and Lille Art Modern Museum for modern and contemporary arts are among the best ones. Museum of Natural History, Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, and Open Air Museum are among other top city places of entertainment. Marché de Wazemmes, the open market and Euralille Shopping Centre are the shopping destinations in Lille. The city is no less than a paradise for food lovers. Restaurants, cafes and bars in various parts of the city offer a lively atmosphere, along with relishing food and drinks.

Currency
The official currency of Lille is Euro that can be exchanged at a number of banks, ATMs, hotels and bureau de change. The top tourist destinations accept major credit cards as well as traveller cheques. Make it a point to refer to the latest news about the currency exchange rate.