Lille (Dutch: Rijsel) (see the map) is the main city of France's fourth largest metropolitan area (consisting of Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing and their suburbs). It is located to the country's north, on the Deûle River, near the border with Belgium. It is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region and the préfecture (capital) of the Nord department.

The city of Lille absorbed Lomme on February 27, 2000. Their combined population at the 2005 census was 226,800 inhabitants. The whole metropolitan area of Lille, both on French and Belgian territory (Kortrijk, Tournai) was estimated in 2007 at around 1,885,000 inhabitants, ranking as one of the major metropolitan areas of Europe.

Must see

* La Vieille Bourse (1653). Right between two picturesque squares, Place du Général-de-Gaulle and Place du Théâtre, this former commercial exchange still plays a central part in the life of the city. You may find booksellers and flower markets in the inner court.
* The main square, Place du Général-de-Gaulle, better known as the "Grand'place", has many lovely historic houses, like the neo-Flemish headquarters of local newspaper La Voix du Nord, and a fountain with the statue of a goddess, "la Grande Déesse" (1843).
* Place Rihour, surrounded by restaurants, houses the tourist information center inside its main attraction, the Palais Rihour (1453).
* The town hall is worth a look and can be combined nicely with a visit to the Porte de Paris (1692).
* The Opera (1923) and the Chamber of Commerce (1921) are located close together and offer magnificent sights, especially when lit-up at night.
* Take a stroll through the old quarter of the city, known as Vieux Lille, and enjoy the quiet, cobble-stone streets, the variety of stylish designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and the modern Cathédrale Notre Dame de la Treille. More notable streets like Rue de la Monnaie and Rue Esquermoise are definitely worth the trip.
* A bit farther from the city center is la Citadelle, an interesting example of defensive military architecture, built by Vauban, a famous French military architect, under the reign of Louis the Fourteenth.

Museums

* Musée des Beaux-Arts, a famed museum covering European art from 16th - 20th century.
* Museum of Natural History, a large collection of stuffed mammals, insects, fossils, etc.
* Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, a former hospital now presenting art from a rather alternative angle.
* Musée d'Art et d' Industrie de Roubaix : La Piscine, a 20th century art museum hosted in a beautiful "Art déco" (start of 20th century) former swimming pool.