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Car Hire in Lille
Lille
The largest city in northern France, Lille has been named a European City of Culture for 2004. The hub of the city is Grand Square, now officially called Place du General-de-Gaulle, after the famous French general and politician who was born here in 1890. Look for his Birthplace House and Museum which has various de Gaulle items on display. The square houses some of Lille's most impressive buildings, including the Opera House and Vielle Bourse, the old commercial exchange. Other attractions include the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a prestigious arts museum featuring works by Goya and Donatello; and the Wazemmes Market, a street market offering items from Asia and Africa, as well as other parts of the world. The Old Town (Vieux Lille) has 17th century cobbled streets and numerous antique shops. Here is the cathedral Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille. Leaving the Old Town, the main shopping areas are based around Rue Neuve and Rue de Bethune, which converge on to the imposing Place de la Republique. There are many fine restaurants and cafes in the city. Specialities include rabbit with prunes, beef in beer, and oysters and smoked eels. You might also try Moules et Frites (mussels and chips!) - the empty mussel shells are left outside in the street to form huge piles!