Lille France trip

[mspark]

Im going to be in Lille, France for a week around Feb 19th or so. Any cool spots or places of interest nearby I should check out?

thx

[cuddlysheep]

oh yeah why lille france?

[mspark]

Im participating in a project over in that city. Need to know if there is more i should check out in the region.

[Tisswat]

Maybe these will help:

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2004/feb/08/lille.france.observerescapesection

http://www.timeout.com/travel/lille/

I have only driven through Lille a couple of times so I can't help you with first-hand experience. Belgium is nearby, so I would suggest checking out some cities like Antwerp, Brussels or Brugge.

[Kasper]

Brussels is really close and cheap to get to if you're under 25 so i would definetly check it out if you have a chance. the Lille region (and the north of France in general) is probably not the nicest part of France, i've been to Lille before, but i was visiting friends so i just went drinking ... the beer is really good there so drink some. one of my really good friend went to school there so if you have some specifics, i could e-mail her about it.

london is also 1h30 away on the eurostar if you're interrested

[mspark]

Thx Tisswat...thats a great help. Im most assuredly going to have a few of those great Belgian ales.

Thx Kasper. I heard that Amsterdam was pretty close as well.

[Kasper]

Thx Kasper. I heard that Amsterdam was pretty close as well.

yep, it's on the same line as Brussels (maybe an hour after Brussels, i forgot, it's been almost 3 years since i took that train). but anyway, it's close enough and you can bring alcohol in the train to make the time pass...

[Tisswat]

Ah, now we're talking! Lille is about 300km from Amsterdam, so that should be about 3 or 4 hours by car.

There's some more useful info here: http://www.univ-lille1.fr/ri/v2/english_version/studying_at_lille_1/uk_vivre_a_lille_5.php It's practical info for foreign students living in Lille so maybe it will be helpful. Like Kasper said, you get lots of discounts if you're under 25.

[Mbrand]

the Lille region (and the north of France in general) is probably not the nicest part of France

Sure. The south is way more appealing... Provence, Alps, the whole South-West country side and its incredible food...

Anyway, if you're in Lille, it's worth going to Paris, it's only 1:30 hour by TGV. If you're under 25 you'll pay like 80$ for a 2 way ticket.

And If you can go a little further, go and visit the "Châteaux de la Loire". http://www.chateauxloire.com/

[mspark]

Thats for all the help. Ill definetely check out Brussels and Amesterdam. The latter for the most obvious reason.