Lille has two main stations- Gare Lille Flanders for trains throughout the city, and Gare Lille-Europe which also operates TGV, Eurostar and other high speed services. Trains between Ebbsfleet and Lille run around 8 times a day Monday-Friday, and 12 times a day Saturdays and Sundays.
Eurostar
trains between Ebbsfleet International and Lille have average journey times of 1 hour, 20 minutes, making it even faster and more convenient to reach via high speed rail. The best time to visit is late spring or early summer, as the warm weather makes it so popular.
Lille is the fourth largest city in France, is situated in the north and is close to the border with Belgium with around 220,000 inhabitants. Summer time in Lille between June and August is the warmer time to visit with average temperatures around 68°F, 20°C. In winter time temperatures can reach 32° F (0°C).
In 2004, it was designated a European Culture Capital, and since has been an important tourist destination with a well preserved history. Shopping and markets are an important part of life in Lille, here a mixture of traditional shops and more international shops can be found.
Points of interest
La Vieille Bourse
The finest building in the city, built around 1652 during which period Lille was part of the Netherlands. Above the entrance gate are two lions, a symbol of this, and in the centre is the "fleur de lys", the city's emblem. Inside the cloister there are usually bookstalls with interesting engraved designs on the stone.
Palais des Beaux-Arts
A 19th century building which holds Lille's renowned museum of fine arts. The gallery features examples of work by Goya, Donatello, Raphael and Rubens.
Hospice Comtesse
Originally built as a hospital in 1237, it remained in working operation until 1939 when it became a museum containing tapestries, paintings, wood sculptures all from this region of France.
The Open Air Museum
Lille's living museum, which is a recreation of a local village including thatched cottages, rural craft workshops, seed barns and traditional farmhouses.
Attractions
L'Opéra, opened in 1923 replacing another theatre built in 1785 which burnt down.
One of the few surviving Flanders buildings founded by the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne de Constantinople, now an art museum.
The goddess (holding a cannon fuse in her right hand), which can be seen throughout the city such as the Grand Place or “Place du General de Gaulle”, represents one of the proudest moments of the city's history. In September 1792 Lille was part of France, but the city was surrounded by 35,000 Austrian soldiers, though it refused to surrender. Lille managed to hold out and the siege was eventually lifted.
Alpes Vaudoises
Alpes Vaudoises is a beautiful tourist attraction with 74 lifts and 220km of downhill pistes, it has a 6 seater chair lift and takes 2000 people each hour.... Alpes Vaudoises, Switzerland
Andermatt
Andermatt has two mountains the highest being 2344m with a 4 seater chair lift and the other with a height of 1842m with a 2 seater chair lift. Andermatt has an excellent selection of accommodation with a total of 19 hotels, many of the hotels have fitness facility''s, with ice skating, curling and hiking.... Andermatt, Switzerland
Arosa
Arosa has skiing covering 70km of marked pistes served by 16 lifts. There is a Swiss Snow Walking Event in January designed as a keep fit regime.... Arosa, Switzerland
Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana is a sophisticated resort, located above the Rhone Valley. There are 160km of pistes and 50 runs covering the mountain slopes.... Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Davos
Davos has 307km of skiing with 62 lifts including 2 mountain railways, 10 cable cars, 8 chair lifts and 31 drag lifts.... Davos, Switzerland
Engelberg
Engelberg has a 12km long run, it is dominated by Mount Titlis at 3200m yet has been largely un-discovered by British enthusiasts.... Engelberg, Switzerland
Fiesch (Aletsch)
Fiesch has a cable car and chair lifts up towards Eisenlucke at 2722m. The Aletsch ski region with 100km of downhill slopes and served by 33 lifts.... Fiesch, Switzerland
Flims-Laax
Flims-Laax Flaera ski resort has 220km of well kept slopes to suit every skier, 70 percent of the slopes are freshly prepared each day. There are 91 restaurants and 3 clubs.... Flims-Laax, Switzerland
Grindelwald
Grindelwald has 44 lifts with links to Oberjoch and Mannlichen and ample snow throughout the season.... Grindelwald, Switzerland
Gstaad
Gstaad has 250km of ski runs in the region, the longest being 17km and snowboarders are catered for with big quarter-pipe, big table jump, freeriding... Gstaad, Switzerland
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