Lille is the capital of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, a region in the north of France near the border with Flanders. The city was long part of Flanders - it was only annexed to France in the 17th century - and Lille's cosy historic center still resembles that of many other Flemish cities.

With the arrival of the high speed train and the construction of Euralille the city started a successful revitalisation which resulted in futuristic new development projects that put the city back on the map.