Lille, providing major communication routes, is one of the major cities of France and located in the north. It is also one of the friendliest cities in France. Being the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille, Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium.

With more than a population of 226,000, Lille, in conjunction with the associated towns, Hellemmes and Lomme, constitutes the largest city in the North of France. At the heart of an accumulation of 87 municipalities, Lille, with its French and Belgian neighbours, is part of a cross-border metropolis of 1.9 million inhabitants in the centre of a Euro-Region. 

Classified as a city of "Art et Histoire" since 2004, Lille has conserved a large number of buildings and monuments, both secular and religious, which remain as Marks of ten centuries of history. These include the Citadelle park, the Vieille Bourse, the Grand Place, the Porte de Paris, and also the rue de la Monnaie.

There is a huge flea market, a unique event, organized every year where all the streets are occupied with stands selling everything and thousands of people visit. Moreover, people from across Europe are attracted to Lille, for its quality of lifestyle, economic dynamism, cultural vitality and festive energy. Increasing numbers of tourists are coming to discover Lille and are contributing to the reputation of the city.

Lille is a city where the Eurostar makes an important halt here and provides high speed trains with many other important destinations in France. As a result of its preferential geographic position with improved high-quality transport network, Lille is a substantial gateway to Europe.