Top 5 Must Do's in Lille

Follow these top 5 Lille must do's and you'll experience this northern French city the way it was meant to be. Architecture, art, local customs and food will all form part of your stay.

1. Palais des Beaux-Arts

After the Louvre, this museum ranks as the second most important general interest museum of art in France. Here you can find pieces by renowned artists like Rubens, Van Dyck and Delacroix. To get to the Palais des Beaux-Arts, simply take Metro Line 1 and get off at Place de la Republique. The museum closes on Tuesdays. It is open on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 to 6 p.m. For additional information, dial (03) 2006-7800.

2. Grand Place and Belfry

Old Lille can easily be covered on foot. The main city plaza is called Grand Place. At its center is "the goddess," a monument that commemorates Lille's resistance to the Austrian siege. You'll notice Le Grand Garde right away. This beautiful building was built in the 1700's and served as a symbol of royal power. It now houses a theater, Theatre du Nord. La Vielle Bourse also forms part of the square. The King of Spain requested it be built in the 1600's as a center for commerce. It holds an interesting mix of local and foreign architecture.

Visiting the City Hall and belfry is of even greater importance. UNESCO declared the belfry as a world heritage site. Some call it the "Flanders Skyscraper." To visit the belfry, you must make a reservation through the office of tourism. Tours are held on the weekends. The City Hall has an eye-catching Art Deco style and is worth viewing.

3. Wazemmes Market

This open-air market is held at Place de la Nouvelle Aventure from Tuesdays through Thursdays and on Sundays. The day to go, however, is Sunday. In fact, as many as 50,000 people visit this market on the weekend. Regional foods, crafts and clothing are sold. It's a fun way to spend the morning.

4. The Citadel

This fort was built by Louis XIV after his conquest. It was an architectural feat then and remains quite a sight now. The citadel is occupied by the army, but the city offers guided tours during the week. Drop by the tourist office in Grand Place for tickets.

5. Euralille District

After the TGV train station was built, a Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas, transformed this part of town in the 1980's. This district is characterized by modern buildings and shopping centers. After a day of cobblestone streets, encountering this futuristic flare is a nice contrast.