Lille Old Town (Vieux Lille)

It's in Vieux Lille, the Old Town of the city, that the Flemish dash to Lille's character can be most clearly seen. The red brick buildings and narrow cobbled lanes have a distinct Belgian feel. 

The quarter had fallen into disrepair, but now it's been cleaned up and houses the regular Euro-old town collection of bars, boutiques, and restaurants. 

This is where many of the city's premier sites are located: the town museum located in the 13th-century Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Treille, and the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle. But sightseeing aside, this is a trés pleasant place to lose yourself on a sunny day, stopping only to test out another restaurant or ogle some designer fashion.

Lille Old Town is centred around rue d'Angleterre, place du Lion-d'Or and rue de la Monnaie.