Beautiful places of the planet: Lille

Lille is a border town located 14 km from Belgium. Many historical events of different centuries are associated with it, which affected local attractions. Charles de Gaulle was born here - the president of France who changed the country's colonial policy. The square is named after him, and there is also a museum headed by the de Gaulle Foundation.

Place du General-de-Gaulle.

In the center of the square you can see a fountain with a column, on top of which is a female figure. This monument was erected here in 1842 in memory of how courageously the inhabitants of Lille resisted the siege of the Austrian troops in 1792.

Vieille Bourse

The Vieille Bourse was built in 1653 and served until 1910. In 1921, the building was recognized as a historical monument.

Porte de Paris

The gate is decorated with sculptures of Mars, the patron saint of wars, and Hercules, symbolizing power and strength, as well as royal lilies and the coat of arms of Lille.

Hotel de ville de Lille.

The town hall was built in the first half of the 20th century. The interiors of the town hall and the tower are decorated with paintings by modern artists - these works adorn the corridors, halls and flight of stairs.

Citadelle de Lille.

The citadel was built in just four years, from 1667 to 1671, and became the prototype for all subsequent fortresses built by de Vauban.

Opera de Lille.

The building of the Lille Opera represents a sample of neoclassical style, its gable decorated with images of Apollo and the Muses. The auditorium for a thousand seats is decorated in the Italian style.

Palais des beaux-arts de Lille.

The Palace of Fine Arts in Lille is one of the largest and oldest museums in France. Its history began in 1792 with a small art gallery, which was arranged by a local artist, Louis Watteau, in one of the halls of the Academy of Painting.

Eglise Saint-Maurice de Lille.

It began to be erected in the XIV century, and by the time the last parts of the building were completed in the XIX century, the first elements of the temple had already needed restoration. In addition, for five centuries of construction, some parts of the building were created in different architectural styles.

Eglise Saint-Denis-d’Hellemmes.

It is believed that the first building on this site appeared in the XIV century, and then was rebuilt several times - archaeological excavations conducted in 2001 showed traces of the external walls of the XIV-XVII centuries.

Hospice Comtesse.

The founder of this institution in 1236 was the Countess Jeanne Konstatinopolskaya, who then ruled Flanders. The hospital was built on the territory of its palace and was intended for poor citizens and pilgrims.