Lille: The Heartbeat of Northern France

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [noh]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît
  [seel voo pleh]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi
  [ehk-skyoo-zay mwa]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mohn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwar luh muh-nyuh, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-yay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh suh-coor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [ah-lay voo zahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-peh-lay uh may-duh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray ah-shuh-tay...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gahrd zhust]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shehr]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-veh voo beh-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kell er eh-tee]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel eh oon er]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [deez er ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-man]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kah-truh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [set]
• 8Huit
  [wheat]
• 9Neuf
  [nuff]
• 10Dix
  [deeze]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo eh...]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kell eh lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahn eh luh proh-shahn (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor ...)]

Lille, originally known as L'Isle, was founded in 640 AD. Situated on the Deûle River, it served as a strategic location for trade and defense. The city's early history was marked by its role as a commercial hub in the Flanders region.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Lille flourished as a center for the textile industry. The city's wealth attracted the attention of various European powers, leading to its inclusion in the County of Flanders and later the Duchy of Burgundy.

In the late 14th century, Lille came under the control of the Duchy of Burgundy. Following the marriage of Mary of Burgundy to Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, the city became part of the Habsburg Empire. This era saw significant cultural and architectural development.

In 1667, Lille was conquered by Louis XIV of France during the War of Devolution. The renowned military engineer Vauban was tasked with fortifying the city, resulting in the construction of the impressive Citadel of Lille, which remains a prominent landmark.

The 19th century brought industrialization to Lille, transforming it into a major center for manufacturing, particularly in textiles and machinery. The influx of workers led to rapid urban expansion and the development of new neighborhoods.

Lille experienced significant hardship during both World Wars. In World War I, the city was occupied by German forces for four years. During World War II, Lille was again occupied, and its Jewish population suffered greatly under Nazi persecution.

After World War II, Lille underwent extensive reconstruction and modernization. The establishment of the European Metropolis of Lille in 1967 and the arrival of the TGV high-speed train in the 1990s bolstered the city's status as a key economic and cultural hub in northern France.

In 2004, Lille was designated as the European Capital of Culture. This honor sparked a cultural renaissance, leading to the restoration of historic buildings, the opening of new museums, and the creation of vibrant cultural festivals that continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Lille is located in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The city is well-connected by various modes of transportation. The nearest major airport is Lille Lesquin Airport (LIL), which is approximately 10 kilometers from the city center. Alternatively, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris is about 200 kilometers away and offers more international flight options. From both airports, you can take a taxi, shuttle bus, or train to reach Lille. Lille is also accessible by high-speed trains; the Eurostar connects Lille to London in 1.5 hours, and the TGV connects it to Paris in just over an hour.

Lille boasts an efficient public transportation system operated by Transpole. It includes metro, tram, and bus services that cover the city and surrounding areas. The city has two metro lines and two tram lines, making it easy to navigate. Biking is also popular, and there are many bike rental stations throughout the city. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are readily available. For those who prefer driving, rental cars are available but be mindful of the city's narrow streets and limited parking spaces.

The official currency in Lille is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it's advisable to carry some cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments or local markets. ATMs are plentiful and can be found throughout the city. Currency exchange services are available at banks, post offices, and some hotels.

Lille is generally safe for tourists, but like any city, it is essential to stay vigilant. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas like train stations and tourist attractions. Be cautious in the neighborhoods of Wazemmes and Moulins after dark, as these areas have higher crime rates. Avoid walking alone late at night and keep your belongings secure. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 112.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for police, fire, or medical assistance. Lille has several hospitals and clinics that provide excellent medical care. Pharmacies are widespread and usually open from 9 AM to 7 PM, with some operating 24 hours. Ensure you have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, pharmacists can often provide advice and over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress smartly; the French appreciate good fashion. Avoid overly casual attire like flip-flops and shorts in city settings. Religion: Do respect religious sites by dressing modestly and being quiet. Avoid disruptive behavior in churches and other religious places. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding. Don't eat, drink, or speak loudly on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake or a cheek kiss (la bise) if you know them well. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like moules-frites and gaufres. Don't tip excessively; a service charge is usually included in the bill.

To experience Lille like a local, visit the Wazemmes Market on Sunday mornings for fresh produce and regional specialties. Stroll through the Vieux Lille (Old Lille) to admire its Flemish architecture and quaint boutiques. Enjoy a coffee at one of the many outdoor cafés and practice your French with the locals. Don't miss the Lille Braderie, Europe's largest flea market, held annually in early September. For art lovers, the Palais des Beaux-Arts offers a rich collection of European masterpieces.