What to see in the Lille area?

Lille lies in the 4th largest metropolitan area in France. This area is made up of Lille, Roubaix and Tourcoing, as well as their suburbs. Tourcoing is an interesting place to visit with such sights as the Church of Saint Christopher, which dates from the 15th/16th century and is considered an excellent example of Neo-Gothic architecture; it also has an 80 metre tall bell tower with 80 bells.

Lille is the capital of the Nord Department which stretches from the northern tip of France as far as Picardy, along the Belgian border.

Dunkirk is located just a short 80km drive from Lille along the E42. It has a very strategic location and as the 3rd largest port in France has changed hands numerous times throughout history. During WWII roughly 1/3 of a million French and British troops escaped across the English Channel to safety. This is sometimes referred to as the Miracle of Dunkirk. As well as having a rich heritage, Dunkirk has fantastic shopping options and is well worth a day trip.

Just a few dozen kilometres along the coast is Calais. This is the closest point between France and the Island of Great Britain which is just a mere 32 kms away. If you're lucky on a clear day you can even see the White Cliffs of Dover! Calais is a popular spot for British tourists as it's easy to get to by both ferry and via the Channel Tunnel - and the tax is lower as well.

Other towns worth visiting in the Nord Department include the commune of Valenciennes, located about 40km in the other direction. It's home to the Dodenne Tower, the La Maison Espagnole and the Notre-Dame du Saint-Cordon. Also to the south there is Douai which is worth visiting solely for the Bell Tower which was built in the 14th century.

You could always nip over the border and visit Belgium. This part of Belgium is home to cities such as Mons (host town of the Doudou Festival held annually on Trinity Sunday) and Charleroi. And since the area is French speaking make sure you keep your French phrase book handy!

By Mairead Foley
Mairead Foley writes for http://www.Novacarhire.com/ where you can book car hire at airports, ferry ports, rail stations, cities and towns all over the world.

Visit Novacarhire.com for all you need to know before you take to the roads in France, like where to go and what to see with your car hire. Book your Car hire Lille now.

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