Lille is conveniently located in the middle of northwestern Europe and in the north of France, which is part of the Schengen area and is accessible without border controls from 29 European countries. Furthermore, it benefits from excellent accessibility, especially by high-speed trains (Eurostar, TGV): it is only 38 min by high-speed train from Brussels, 1 hour from Paris, and 1h20 from London. The Paris-Charles de Gaulle international airport can be reached directly in 50 min from Lille downtown using high-speed trains, whereas the Brussels airports (Zaventem and Charleroi) can be reached in 1h20 from Lille by bus or train. 

Lille is a vibrant and handsome city, with a rich history. Lille is known for its narrow cobblestone streets with lively cafes and gourmet restaurants. Lille also hosts some of the most prestigious art collections in France. The city's culinary specialties include stuffed waffles, seafood, cheeses, and some of the best French fries in the country. Lille is also situated in a region renowned for having the highest number of microbreweries in France.