Lille, France

The city of Lille was founded in the Middle Ages. The city's charter dates back to 1066. The city is located in northern France on the river Deule.

Lille - Places to See A Walk in the old town between Palais Rihour and llot Comtesse. Charles De Gaulle's birthplace Sunday market at Wazemmes

The County of Flanders, which first appeared in written documents in the 9th century, was formed after the Treaties of Verdun (843). Lille became one of it's capitals and centers of commerce.

Charlemagne's grandson, Charles the Bald, inherited the city after Charlemagne's death; he in turn bequeathed it to his daughter, Gisele. Thus, through a cunning matrimonial policy, the city of Lille experienced the rise in power of the Counts of Flanders until the middle of the 14th century.

Louis de Male, the last Count of Flanders, had only one daughter, Marguerite, who married Philippe le Hardi, the first Duke of Burgundy, in 1369. Together with Dijon and Brussels, the city became one of the three capitals of the Burgundy states. At their peak the region stretched from Holland to the the region of Franche-Comté in central France.

The tragic death of Charles the Reckless (the last Duke of Burgundy) in 1477 put a sudden end to the splendors of the court. Years later, Louis XIV had to use all his power and determination to annex Lille to France in 1667, during the war of devolution.

During the French Revolution, the city was besieged by the Austrians (1792) who were on their way to Paris to free the king. The Austrians did not succeed in their task.

In the 19th century, Lille became a major industrial capital; the city expanded rapidly and annexed five nearby towns. During this time the city grew to 120,000 inhabitants. Today, with 220,000 inhabitants, Lille is part of an urban community of 87 towns, with more than 1 million people. The city earned a 2004 nomination as a "European Capital of Culture" by the EC.