A Different Place In Northern France Is Lille

For a vacation in France, with a Flemish flavor there is no better city than Lille. Named European Capital of Culture in 2004, this northern town today french property for sale attracts tourists who come for its Flemish ambience, its excellent museums, great food and beer, and of course the world renowned Grande Braderie (Europe's biggest flea market). Today Lille is the most important city in northern France, and the fourth biggest overall in the country. It has a very young population (including many students), and a vibrant cultural scene. Lille has a small airport, called 'Lille-Lesquin'. International connections include flights from Munich in Germany, and other European cities. Most international travelers will however want to book a flight to Paris and then continue to Lille by the TVG train which takes one hour. By car, use the A1 from Paris. Lille's most famous son is Charles de Gaulle, whose Maison Natale - the very house where he was born - is a museum to the great man while the main square in the town centre proudly carries his name. Place du General de Gaulleis the hub of this city, bordered by the impressive facades of the Art Deco 'Voix du Nord' newspaper offices and the 17th century Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange). To the east lie the imposing Nouvelle Bourse (New Exchange) and the Opera, both built at the start of the 20th century. Colorful Flemish architecture is everywhere with its narrow ornamented facades (of which the Vieille Bourse is a prime example). You can also see French classical style houses, grand boulevards and even the 'Maison Folie' - a former textile factory now re-born as a cultural and community centre. If food is your passion, you will be spoiled for choiceproperty for sale in france when it comes to places to eat, as well as being the capital of French Flanders, Lille is the gastronomic capital of northern France. Many traditional dishes have clear Flemish influences, such as carbonnade flamande (beef stewed in beer), coq a la biere, waterzooi (a creamy fish stew flavoured with white wine and herbs), andouillettes (pork sausages), hochepot (hotpot), veau flamande (veal braised with dried fruits) and tarte aux maroilles (cheese tart). There are eateries to suit all occasions and tastes, from traditional brasseries (estaminets) to Michelin-starred restaurants such as the superb, Art Deco-style A L'Huitriere, which specialises in fish and seafood. For shopping, meander the narrow streets of Vieux Lille, popping into one-off boutiques. International brands dot la rue de la Grande Chaussee and Place du Lion. High-street brands line the streets in Central Lille, behind the Grand Place. For serious shopping head for Euralille, near the Eurostar Station, where over 100 high-street brands cluster in one big mall. As there are no borders in the European Union and no currency differences, why not round off your vacation to France with a trip to Belgium which is less than 15 minutes away by car.