Your ultimate guide for your Erasmus in Lille!
Beside the excitement to travel and study abroad, coming as a foreign student in France can be quite challenging. From cultural changes to endless paperworks you can easily get lost, in order to avoid these situations we curated this guide to make your student experience easier. Together let’s review important aspects when moving to the beautiful city of Lille located in the north of France. From the student life to information about the city, get ready to become an expert french citizens.
1- How to find an appartment ?
The first and often most daunting task for international students is securing accommodation, to do so various options are available. Many french students look for their appartment on apps such as seloger, bien’ici or jinka however during the hot season the appartments go by very fast and owners mustly look for students on the long term. Other options such as “Student Place” are more convenient, designed for and by students themselves it allows students to directly post their rooms or appartment on rent while they go on their erasmus themselves. The website is available in multiples cities of France and many offers are posted everyday.
2- Where to go to enjoy the student life ?
Student life is a vibrant and integral part of the overall university experience. The main parties area in Lille to meet new people are the famous streets “Rue Masséna” and “Rue Solférino” where dozens of bars and clubs are located. Whether you’re looking for a chill evening around a drink and maybe board games or looking for places to dance the night away you’ll definetly find your cup of tea in this area. By following our instagram account @erasmus_lille_ep you’ll also find the fun events we host such as language exchange cafés, parties or different country themed evenings. These events are organised all year long every monday, wednesday and friday in hot places in Lille. Going out to these places you’ll surely be able to make a lot of friends during your stay in Lille.
3- Guide on the transportation system in Lille
Efficient transportation is key to navigating any city successfully, and Lille is no exception. Understanding the city’s transportation system is crucial for getting around conveniently. The main public transportations in Lille are the metro, the tramway and the buses. You’ll also find many bicycle stations when you can rent a bicycle to hang around the city freely. The metro is composed of 2 lines (red and yellow) connecting all the spots within Lille and go as far as nearby cities such as Croix, Roubaix and Tourcoing. The bus system is equally available in many spots and it is rather easy to get used to it. To use the transportation you’ll need a subscription with an illevia card that allows you many transportation all around the MEL (Lille metropolis).
4- Facts and history about Lille
Lille, a city with a rich history and vibrant culture, it has a history that dates back to medieval times. Due to its geographical location near the border of France and Belgium, Lille has been influenced by both French and Flemish cultures. This dual influence is evident in the architecture, language, and local traditions of the city. Lille is known for its vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and art galleries. The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, one of the largest art museums in France, houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Lille is a major transportation hub and serves as a crucial connection point for the Eurostar high-speed train, linking Paris, Brussels, and London. This strategic location has further enhanced Lille’s importance on the European map which makes it a really famous city for erasmus students who wish to discover various places around Europe.
