Table of Contents
Acknowledgements xvi
Preface xvii
How to use this book xix
Chapter 1 Contexts 1
Introduction to the city 1, History 4, Modern Lille
6, The future 7
Chapter 2 Planning 9
The city: a practical overview 9, When to visit
14, Tourist information 16, Tour operators 17,
Red tape 17, Time 18, Getting there and away 18,
Travelling with pets 25, Health 26, What to take
27, Money and budgeting 27
Chapter 3 Lille for Visitors with Limited Mobility 29
Planning a trip 29, Getting there and away 29,
Getting around 32, Accommodation 33,
Eating and drinking 33, Nightlife 34, Museums
34
Chapter 4 Practicalities 35
Tourist offices 35, Consulates 36, Banks and
money matters 36, Communications 37, Worship
41, Travelling with children 41
Chapter 5 Local Transport 45
Métro, trams and buses 45, Tour bus 49,
Airport transfers 49, Taxis 49, Car hire 50,
Cycling 51
Chapter 6 Accommodation 53
Bon weekend - bon prix 54, Hotels 54, Selfcatering
63, Hostels 66, Bed and breakfast 67 Chapter 7 Eating and Drinking 73
Budgeting 75, Opening hours 75, Where to eat and
drink 75, Bistros and estaminets 76, Brasseries 85,
Restaurants 91, Wine bars 110, Café society 113,
Bars, cafés and tea rooms 114, Vegetarian 123
Chapter 8 Nightlife and Entertainment 125
Theatre 125, Cabaret and casino 127, Cinema 129,
Music and dance 130, Clubs 134, Gay listings 136,
Leave the country 138
Chapter 9 Shopping 141
Opening hours 143, Accessories 143, Books 143,
Clothes 144, Cosmetics and perfume 148, Crafts 148,
Florists 153, Food and wine 153, Gifts 157, Home
158, Home entertainment/music 159, Jewellery 160,
Markets 160, Pharmacies/chemists 161, Supermarkets/
department stores 162, Under one roof 163
Chapter 10 Walking Tour 165
The walk 165
Chapter 11 Museums and Sightseeing 169
Prices and opening hours 169, The unmissables
169, Museums and galleries 172, Sites and
monuments 174, Churches 184, Other arts and
cultural venues 187, Maisons Folies 190, Parks and
gardens 193
Chapter 12 Beyond the City 197
Roubaix 198, Seclin 201, Tourcoing 202, Villeneuve
d'Ascq 204, Wambrechies 207, Beyond the
Métropole 208, Hiking and biking 214
Appendix 1 Language 216
French 216
Appendix 2 Further Information 221
Essentials 221, Entertainment 221, Local transport
221, Travellers with limited mobility 221, Gay Lille
221, Modern Lille 222, Maps 222, Other Bradt
guides 222
Index 225
