Citadel of Lille

First built in the 17th century following the seizing of Lille by French forces, the Citadel is an impressive star-shaped fortress which now houses the French Rapid Reaction Corps. Guided tours of the Citadel are held monthly. The park area surrounding the fortress contains pleasant greenery and the Lille Zoo.

• Address:

  Avenue du 43e Régiment d'Infanterie, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 4 43 05 12 90

Hospice Comtesse Museum

The Hospice Comtesse Museum, or Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, is a century-old once-hospital now open to visitors. The complex consists of a former hospital hall and an adjacent chapel. The English audio guide is informative and essential for those who do not speak French.

• Address:

  32 Rue de la Monnaie, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 28 36 84 00

La Piscine Museum

The building of what once was an Art Deco swimming pool has now been turned into a fine/applied arts museum (La Piscine Musée d'Art et d'Industrie), classical sculptures and busts lining the filled-up pool in a bizarre yet curious presentation.

• Web:

  www.roubaix-lapiscine.com

• E-mail:

  lapiscine.musee@ville-roubaix.fr

• Address:

  23 Rue de l'Espérance, Roubaix

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 69 23 60

• Subway:

  Gare Jean Lebas / Grand Place (underground)

Lille Belfry

The belfry of Lille's Hôtel de Ville shoots up a hundred metres into the sky, and is accessible via both stairs and an elevator (the latter means of reaching the top is recommended). From up top, a splendid view unfolds over the entire city, including a few local landmarks (although admittedly little of the old town).

• Address:

  Place Roger Salengro, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 891 56 20 04

Lille Cathedral

Finally completed only at the turn of the current century, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille bears striking dissimilarity to Gothic and Romanesque cathedrals across Europe - perhaps, due to its pronouncedly modern facade. The inside contains a crypt and sacred art museum.

• Web:

  www.cathedralelille.com

• E-mail:

  cathedraledelatreille@gmail.com

• Address:

  Place Gilleson, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 31 59 12

Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art

The Lille suburb of Villeneuve-d'Ascq is worth the trip if only for its singular Modern Art Museum (Musée d'Art Moderne, d'Art Contemporain et d'Art Brut – LaM), which showcases works by celebrated modernists (such as Picasso and Modigliani, to name a couple), along with a noteworthy collection of outsider art.

• Web:

  www.musee-lam.fr

• E-mail:

  info@musee-lam.fr

• Address:

  1 Allée du Musée, Villeneuve-d'Ascq

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 19 68 68

• Opening hours:

  10:00-18:00 (Tuesday to Sunday)