Eurostar Lille Breaks

A Little History:

Found in the Northern Hemisphere of France, Lille is a town which has gone through many cultural changes and advancements over the centuries. Being in Fourth place to the largest metropolitan areas in France, it dates all the way back to the AD time era when it was first given life from the Deule river where it served as a middle point for boats who were carrying cargo. The ships had to remove their cargo at this location and pick it back up at another that was easier to get around. This eventually became the reason the town was known as a town for merchants.

Through a number of marriages, Lille’s possession of control  changed hands many times over the last Thousand years. It started out Flemish under the control of Counts of Flanders, husband to Jeanne of Flanders who eventually took over and turned over power to her last daughter who married a Burgundian man thus giving power to him. From there it was ruled by Spanish and ultimately taken over by the French who came into power in the year 1667. This is what began the changes that led to what Lille is today. The town began to see a drastic change in appearance as French culture took over and transformed the town into a royal haven. In the Nineteen hundreds, Lille partnered with several cities nearby and became a powerhouse of industry. The main industries were those involved in metal and textiles. This powerhouse was short lived though when a massive crisis struck the towns industry sector in the 1980’s and forced them to redo their entire core in order to adapt.

Textile warehouses and other facilities were torn down and places of business were put up in their place, similar to the way it was back in its merchant days. It was also at this time that travel advancements came along in the form of the TGV link that was built in 1993 and followed by Eurostar’s spotlight appearance in the year 1994. For Lille, this was a revolutionary awakening that opened the doors for many tourist opportunities in an expanding town. Lille was made an official culture capital in the year Two Thousand and Four for its phenomenal art and other historic culture aspects. The culture in Lille is rich, full of life and there are so many places to see within its boundaries.

Lille is one of Eurostar’s core destinations and their trains will take you right into the midst of the city where you will find shopping, restaurants, museums and heartwarming hotels.

Shopping in Lille:

Shopping in Lille comes in the form of many types of marketplaces created for different types of shopping preferences. You can purchase name brand and designer items in an atmosphere filled with cobblestone and homes from the Flemish era in the older part of Lille. Of course on Sundays,  purchasing art work and very old collectibles is another possibility at the Place Du Concert. In the middle of town and on the resident roads, you can browse one of the many international shops located there. If books are a thing of passion, Lille is home to Furet Du Nord, one of the largest book stores in all of Europe. Located at Grand Place, you are sure to find anything you may be looking for in the form of reading material here.

Perhaps one of the greatest shopping places in Lille for those looking for a deal, lies in the Wazemmes Market, one of Frances largest discount shopping markets. This market sees around 50,000 people on Sundays who browse through hundreds of vendors selling the most exotic of items. Besides being filled with vendors from all ethnic back grounds, your senses are sure to get a loud wake up when they are filled with exotic smells and sounds from within the market.

Restaurants in Lille:

After shopping, you may want to grab a bite to eat at any of the many local restaurants located in and around Lille where you can purchase a 1 course meal from £10.50. The restaurants located in Lille vary in style by location but you can find any type from romantic, charming and cozy to outdoor settings. Some restaurants are run out of old homes to give it a more home like feel.

Many of the restaurants are set up for large groups as well so whether your alone or in a small, large group, there are resterauants that can accommodate you. A majority of main city restaurants are open for breakfast from 8am through dinner at 10pm.

Museums in Lille:

Through the museums in Lille, you can take a stroll through the historic lifeline that surrounds this fascinating city. One of particular interest is the Palais des Beaux-Arts which can be found at Place de la République and is only second to being the biggest multi-category museum in all of France. Here you can find prestigious French art work and ceramics. The museum itself dates back to the Eighteen hundreds.

To see a timeline of zoology, you can visit The Museum of Natural History located at 19 rue de Bruxelles. This geographical museum is truly unique in that it offers more than 250,000 different pieces based on the ecological life line.

Hotels in Lille:

Hotels in Lille come in a variety of types from budget fitting to luxurious. Many include free complimentary breakfast, shuttles to nearby tourist locations and room service. You can search hotels in Lille right on the Eurostar website. Remember that you can get a package deal if you book a train and hotel at the same time.

Multiple budget options, rich culture and lively surroundings, makes Lille one destination that you wouldn’t want to miss.

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