Lille, France — Attractions
Palais des Beaux-Arts
A striking and ornate 19th century building which houses Lille's renowned museum of fine arts, Palais des Beaux-Arts is a masterpiece in itself. Inside the building is a treasure-trove for art lovers, an attraction second only to the Louvre in Paris. The gallery features works by Goya, Donatello, Raphael and Rubens, to name just a few of the masters represented. There are also a number of works by French artists, including three major items: Belisarius Asking for Almsby David; After Dinner at Ornansby Courbet; and Sleepby Puvis de Chavannes. Although the museum contains mainly paintings, there are also some collections of ceramics, relief maps and a large section of Italian and French drawings.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- Place de la République
- Phone Number
- (0)3 2006 7800
- Website
- www.pba-lille.fr
- Transport
- Metro to République station
- Hours
- Monday 2pm to 6pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm; Friday 10am to 7pm. Closed Tuesdays
- Admission
- EUR5.50 (adults), EUR3.80 (concessions). Free on the first Sunday of each month
Musée des Moulins
Something different that appeals particularly to the mechanically minded is Lille's museum devoted to windmills. Situated on the highway to Roubaix the site boasts two preserved, working pivoting windmills which visitors can watch in operation grinding corn, as well as a museum detailing the history of windmill technology.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- Rue Albert Samain, Villeneuve d'Ascq
- Phone Number
- (0)3 2005 4934
- Website
- asso.nordnet.fr/aramnord/
- Transport
- Metro to Pont de Bois station, then bus 41 to the Parc Urbain
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. Closed Saturdays, bank holidays, during August and from 15 December to 15 January
- Admission
- EUR6
Natural History Museum
An attraction in Lille particularly enjoyed by children, the Natural History Museum has been drawing the crowds since it opened in 1822. Featuring interesting displays of extinct species, two huge whale skeletons, insectariums and geology collections, the museum is both educational and fun.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- 19 Rue de Bruxelles
- Phone Number
- (0)3 2855 9829
- Website
- www.musenor.com
- Transport
- Bus 13 or 14, or metro to République or Mairie de Lille stations
- Hours
- 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm, closed Tuesday and Saturday.
- Admission
- Free during the week; EUR2.70 (adult) and EUR1.70 (child) on Sundays
Open Air Museum
Travel back in time with a visit to Lille's living museum, which is a recreation of a local village in days of yore. The Lille Open Air Museum site covers 10 hectares, an attraction where visitors can explore thatched cottages, traditional farmhouses, seed barns and rural craft workshops where artisans demonstrate old skills.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- 143 Rue Colbert, Villeneuve dAscq
- Phone Number
- (0)3 20 63 1125
- Email Address
- museedepleinair@enm-lille.fr
- Hours
- Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 7pm (May to October) and 10am to 6pm (November to April)
- Admission
- EUR5; concessions available
Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral
A modern architectural attraction, Lille's cathedral (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) is an imposing homogenous structure, begun as a basilica in 1854 in 13th century Gothic style. Building continued slowly, interrupted by wars and financial constraints, but finally in 1999 the lofty building was declared complete after the perfection of the unique main façade, designed by local architect Pierre-Louis Carlier in collaboration with Peter Rice, who engineered the Sydney Opera House. The central marble section supported by steel wires is an impressive sight, particularly viewed from inside or at night, when it is revealed as resembling a pink translucent veil.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- 12 Rue Jean Moulin, off rue de la Monnaie
- Website
- www.cathedralelille.com
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm (open all day on Thursday), Sunday, 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm.
- Admission
- Free
Hospice Comtesse
In the heart of Lille's old town stands one of the few remaining Flanders buildings founded as a hospital in 1237 by the Countess of Flanders, Jeanne de Constantinople. It remained in service as a hospital until 1939, and today has been turned into an art museum. Works are displayed in the old hospital ward, with its barrel-vaulted ceiling, and other halls where the community of Augustine nuns once lived and worked, providing a haven for the sick. Outside there is a delightful medicinal garden. The collections on display include paintings, tapestries, sculpture and porcelain from the region.
- Region/City Name
- Lille
- Address
- 32 Rue de la Monnaie
- Phone Number
- (0)3 20 49 5090
- Transport
- Bus 3, 6 or 9, or Metro to Lion d'Or
- Hours
- Monday 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm. Closed Tuesdays
- Admission
- EUR3; free on the first Sunday of every month
