Lille

Despite being northern France's largest city, Lille is an undiscovered gem, an erstwhile industry-dominated town that has transformed into a gleaming baroque metropolis that proudly displays its historic roots. A conspicuous abundance of Flemish-inspired architecture regally decorates the city's handsome streets, alluding to the city's Dutch roots. Brown and red hues adorn the facades of exquisitely gabled houses that stand as historic stalwarts in Lille's Old Town, even as the rest of the city ambles along in a blissfully unhurried manner. Lille, despite its grandeur, is known for its friendly and modest nature. Geographically close to the Belgium border, Lille is speckled with captivating art repositories and museums, from the Palais des Beaux-Arts that houses works of Monet, Van Gogh, Raphael and Picasso, to the striking modernity of LaM, a contemporary center for the arts.