Lille

[starrymarkb]

I'm off to Lille for a couple of days the weekend after next... is there anything interesting rail-wise in the area Not too far as I'd like to see the city aswell

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There's a depot just south of the main station, on the west side of the line. Usually a few locos stabled there, plus some units.

Closer to the main station there are TGV stabling sidings on the east side of the line.

 

[starrymarkb]

is this where you are meaning? if so thats right outside my hotel!

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.626843,3.087695&spn=0.009528,0.019205&t=h&z=16

 

[tripleseis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lille_Metro

 

[Peter Mugridge]

is this where you are meaning? if so thats right outside my hotel!

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.626843,3.087695&spn=0.009528,0.019205&t=h&z=16

Yes, and zooming in I can see seven TGVs stabled on that side and a variety of stock - including a "Caravelle" DMU - on the other ( although don't expect to see any of those now! ).

 

[starrymarkb]

Yes, and zooming in I can see seven TGVs stabled on that side and a variety of stock - including a "Caravelle" DMU - on the other ( although don't expect to see any of those now! ).

Thanks Do you know of any shortish round trips that might take an hour or two (though with SNCF classic line timetables being few and far between that might not be doable)

 

[stut]

Lille - Amiens is certainly doable, as is Arras (the former has a stunning cathedral and old town - and a brutalist station square designed by Perret, the latter has a huge, Flemish-style Grand'Place). Alternatively, you can head over to Belgium - just remember that it's Flanders, and Lille is 'Rijsel' in Dutch!

If you want a TGV ride without the pre-booking, remember that there's a TERGV service between Lille and Dunkerque.

Laon is probably too far away, but does have one of the oddest metro systems I've seen:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poma_2000_de_Laon

 

[starrymarkb]

Thanks - I'll see what I have time for only there for 2 days (and one is a Sunday!)

 

[Gordon]

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For the most interesting traction you need to be there on a weekday.

Here are my pictures from weekday rush hours in 2009, although that was a 'farewell' trip because since then lots more of the loco hauled stuff has gone.
http://frenchrailways.fotopic.net/c1775880.html

Possibly the simplest out and back trip from Lille is to Comines (a town with Belgian and French halves straddling the border). A few trains on this line are still 67400 diesel hauled, a contact recently reported a trip on this line

Join Europeanrail Yahoo group for loco diagrams and local gen from a UK Lille-resident expert
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Sorry, forgot to add the cutural tips!

ON the aforementioned 2009 trip with my wife, we did the following clockwise walking tour which took in most of the major sights (not all in the very centre of the city so you gate a chance to walk along some less crowded streets.

We were staying at the Novotel Centre Gares, but went by metro to
Lille Grand Palais then
Boulevard marechal Vaillant to
Noble Tour - a 15th century mediaeval tower the oldest fortification in Lille
Rue de déportés
Hotel de Ville
Porte de Paris (one of the three city gates)
Musee des Beaux Arts
Prefecture
Place Rihour
Grand Place
Ancien Bourse
Theatre


There's a good map here which highlights all the places in bright red:
http://www.planetware.com/map/lille-map-f-lill.htm


don't miss the incredible 17th century relief maps of fortified towns in the Palais des Beaux Arts, info here: http://www.fortified-places.com/reliefs/beauxarts.html

 

[starrymarkb]

Quick question - any idea what operates between Lille and Kortijk and how much it would cost.

DB show direct trains every hour but can't quote a price
Rail-Europe just said not available
voyages-sncf doesn't recognise the direct train and gives a 3 hour route via Brussel-zuid on TGVs costing €50
NMBS show direct routes, but their seperate quote engine doesn't recognise Lille.
Transpole recognised both stations, but then threw up a nasty looking error message in French

Might have to resort to poking the machines on arrival

 

[Railjet]

How about this?

€8 for one day's unlimited travel.

 

[Gordon]

I'd guess the lille - Kortrijk fare to be about 10 euros

I think the Kortrijk trains are Belgian units

I think the Belgian day ticket is probably only available in Belgium for travel to France and back

 

[Railjet]

I think the Belgian day ticket is probably only available in Belgium for travel to France and back

It is not - it is available in France too. Here is the SNCF page advertising it.

 

[starrymarkb]

Thanks guys Didn't make it to Kortrijk in the end, but really enjoyed wondering the city, and the Baux-Arts.

My Hotel room overlooked the TGV Sidings. Forgive shakycam, I didn't take a tripod

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