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Famous for its sparkling golden Eiffel Tower, romantic Montmartre district and beautiful Belle Époque architecture, we can see why millions of travelers will flock to Paris this winter.
Maybe for some it’s the incredible cuisine, or the many world-famous museums, but one thing is clear: Paris and its growing crowds, not to mention its staggeringly high prices, are not for the faint of heart, much less the less prosperous.
If you’d like to experience French culture—that is, marvel at stately Haussmannian buildings and eat more cheese than you could humanly imagine—but you’re not exactly willing to go broke in pursuit of that worthwhile endeavor, then we have an alternative:
Just like Paris, but smaller and maybe even more beautiful?
Lille is the capital of Hauts-de-France, France’s northernmost region, bordering Belgium, and one of the country’s most celebrated cultural hotspots, even if it’s not often on a first-time visitor’s radar – well, here is why it should be on yours:
With a fascinating history consisting of at least 1,384 yearsLille has survived many a war, the rise and fall of several successive empires, and it has even changed allegiances once or twice in accordance with the political mood of past turbulent times.
We won’t bore you with the ins and outs of it, but you should know that it’s precisely its ever-changing nature that makes it so inherently fascinating: from the Burgundian state to the Holy Roman Empire (of Germany) to a Spanish-controlled The Netherlands, everyone wanted to repair their flagpole here.
France of course had the upper hand, but all you need is a stroll through the charming historic center, known locally as Old Lilleto note how much the Flemish influences are still strong – after all, we are only a 25-minute drive from Dutch-speaking Belgium.
Lille is one of the most beautiful cities in France
Lille was a rich Flemish trading center in the Middle Ages, and everywhere beyond medieval coreyou will find centuries-old brick houses, lush botanical gardens and cobbled streets leading to picturesque squares, especially Place du Generaal-de-Gaullethe city’s main meeting point.
Taking a page out of Belgium’s book big placesthe square is flanked by graceful civil buildings, almost all of which are listed as monuments, especially the Old Stock Exchange and the neo-Manianist headquarters of La Voix du Norda traditional Flemish newspaper.
Besides the obvious historic charm, and the countless postcard-ready streetsyou may be wondering what belongs to Lille cultural relevance.
Ever flown into Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris?
In case you didn’t know, it is named after one of the most emblematic members of the French Pantheon of Heroes, Charles de Gaulle, a soldier who led France in its fight against Nazi Germany and who is said to have democracy has been restored.
What to see and do in Lille
Not only does France’s busiest airport owe its name General de Gaullebut countless voiceinstitutions and public squares across the country, including that of Lille big place: well, it turns out he was born in Lille, of all places, and you can visit his birthplace at 9 rue Princesse.
Unlike other French cities, Lille suffered significant damage in World War II. The city has no old, richly decorated Catholic temple, but has made do with a neo-Gothic, unimpressive cathedral. do play host to the so-called Queen of Citadels:
Designed by the 17th century military engineer Vauban Citadel of Lille is a remarkable monument for its size and state of preservation, and costing just €11, or $12.19 to visit, it is a must-see for culture vultures who may be disappointed by the lack of urban fortifications in Paris.
Other listed buildings include the Synagogue of Lilleone of the last surviving in historic Flanders after World War II, characterized by its Romanesque-Byzantine Revival style, and the Baroque Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the most beautiful and largest art museums in France.
A great choice of incredible restaurants
No visit to Lille is complete without a tour of the city’s diverse restaurant scene, which includes French-Flemish cuisine, as well as Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese and other ethnic dishes that might be your favorite.
For an unforgettable dining experience, and typically French, you should definitely add Le Rococo to your list of places to eat: the timeless furnishings is something out of a dream, and you simply can’t go wrong with some foie gras, steak and crème brûlée.
For Italian, we highly recommend you try it La Bellezza: once again a beautiful interior, with numerous historical memorabilia and vintage items on display, and delicious pasta served – the menu changes every month, but any burrata from them will be a good choice.
Last, but certainly not least, Villa De Tsing Tao is the Asian-French fusion you didn’t know you neededwith generous portions – if you ask us, we’d go for their steamy, spicy noodle soups – and a great choice of French wine.
Lille is cheaper than Paris!
Lille already has the culture, the fascinating history, the architectural wealth, And the delicious food that comes with it – to top it all off considerably cheaper to visit then Paris!
According to Budget your triptourists should plan to spend an average of $286 per day visiting the City of Light, including accommodation, food and transportation: Paris is enormous and attractions are spread over a wide area, so you can save $48 on unlimited subway access only for two days.
Lille, on the other hand, isn’t as touristy, so local restaurants and accommodation providers don’t really shake off tourists for their last eurocent, and many of the sights are all concentrated in one or two specific areas, which quite walkable.
By comparison, the expected total cost on a trip to Lille per day is as much as $160, a whopping $160. 78.7% cheaper than Pariswith the average price of meals being an acceptable $16.20, and mid-range hotels $121.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
