Lille Metropole
LILLE METROPOLE
Lille European Metropolis is like Europe on a human scale
In the very core of north Europe, the metropolis of Lille benefits from a strategic position. It is located at less than an hour and a half from the biggest economic and financial places such as London, Paris and Brussels.
It has always known how to make the most of its remarkable situation and its several assets to operate for the development of a rich territory. One full of promises and opportunities, a spot of excellence and success, which is united and responsible. Lille European Metropolis has a strong identity, it is an urban and rural era, where nature and agriculture mix with art and architecture. Its economy rest upon historical and innovative business sectors which inheritance drives the most successful business incubators and start-ups.
Lille has the youngest population in France, preparing the future in the greatest university.
Its richness resides in its friendliness and creativity which we envy us. A wide cultural offer, infrastructures, museums with prestigious collections, exceptional sport events and one of the greatest stadium in Europe, the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. We keep reinforcing our metropolis attractivity working on our best assets and providing Europe with the best Lille has to offer. Lille European Metropolis moves each day forward to lead to future benefits for companies and its inhabitants. I am delighted to welcome you to Lille European Metropolis.
Lille European Metropolis includes 90 towns and villages and 1.2 million people. It extends across the border with Belgium, constituting a “Eurometropolis” of 2.2 million people. MEL is a Public intermunicipal cooperation authority, established by the law of the December 31st of 1966. It gathers more than one million citizens on a territory which is both rural and urban, made by big towns and by villages. The MEL intervenes in essential domains: town and country planning, culture, household waste, sustainable development, water and purification, economy and employment, public space and public road network, Europe and international attractivity, housing environment and housing, urban affairs, nature and living environment, sport, tourism, transport and mobility, accessibility for disabled people, crematoriums.
WHERE ECONOMY HAPPENS
Lille Metropole is a dynamic hub, home to the second-greatest number of global decision- making centres, behind Paris. It is the birthplace of the greatest names in large-scale retail and business, and excels in the agri-food and textile industries.
The Metropolis has deep roots in the service and commercial sectors, and a strong industrial culture. Its strength lies in the great innovation in its sectors and sites of excellence, and in the potential of its research and training offering. Tomorrow’s economic competitiveness begins here, now.
The Metropolitan sites of excellence support the dynamism of the Metropolis’ main economic sectors. They create jobs by catering to start-ups and cutting-edge companies, fostering the emergence of tomorrow’s economic actors. These little gems have contributed to the French Tech certification, which has boosted the Metropolis’ digital sector, and holds an important place in the fields of health, materials, and textiles.
WHERE INNOVATION HAPPENS
Innovation is a priority. Lille European Metropolis has taken this on board, creating a new delegation connecting innovation, competitiveness clusters, education, and research. The territory has all the skills required for education in these new industries, and the offering is constantly growing, with training courses provided by the regional digital hub and the future grouping of three universities into one, by 2018.
Research & Development
Lille Metropole supports the installation of a regional platform for CEA Tech at EuraTechnologies. The strategic sectors of activity of the CEA at INRIA (French National Institute for Computer Science) and at research institutes and universities in the territory range from health and nutrition, to the Internet of Things and digital technology, textiles and innovative materials, etc. This activity demonstrates the Metropolis’ economic development strategy geared towards strengthening the spread of technology through the industrial network and developing specific regional Research and Development.
WHERE ART HAPPENS
When the Metropolis turns into a huge international stage, arts fill the streets, with prestigious exhibitions, spectacular parades enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people. Lille3000 was created following Lille 2004 European Capital of Culture, the success of which is still fresh in our memories.
In 2015-2016, the Renaissance season plunged 2 million people into this cultural effervescence, the envy of the whole world. Preparations of another celebration are already underway. In 2018, we’re off to El Dorado! Night and day, the metropolis is a cultural scene unceasingly offering great and original performances. Dance, plays, concerts, festivals dedicated to a large audience or to initiated publics.
Hotspots for culture
The National Orchestra of Lille, under the direction of Alexandre Bloch, the Opera of Lille, with Caroline Sonrier, the Théâtre du Nord, directed by Christophe Rauck, Le Fresnoy, National Studio of Contemporary Arts, with Alain Fleischer, Aéronef, the number one stage for modern music in France, all contribute to the Metropolis’ cultural vitality. There are many and varied events, from the Braderie de l’Art in Roubaix to the Name Festival or the cross-border festival, Next.
WHERE SPORT HAPPENS
Lille Metropole is proud of its Pierre-Mauroy stadium, an outstanding facility designed to host the biggest international competitions and the most spectacular events.
Land of sport
Following the prestigious Davis Cup in 2014, then Eurobasket in 2016, it’s now the turn of the World Handball Championship, in 2017. As a performance space, the stadium hosts exceptional concerts (Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Celine Dion, the Orchestre National de Lille, etc.), and shows like Supercross, thrilling audiences. It provides a backdrop for all passions. This is the only place where the grass can be lifted on a plate to set up a tennis court, a basketball court, or a performance amphitheatre! Welcome one and all to this fabulous place of dreams and excitement!
France will host the 10th edition of the Rugby Union World Cup in 2023. On this occasion, at least 4 matches will take place in metropolitan France, at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. A support program will be offered in town, in order to allow as many people as possible to benefit from this major event.
The city of Paris was awarded on September 13, 2017, the organization of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The Olympic Candidate Committee Paris 2024 has selected the European Metropolis of Lille and the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium to host several meetings of the Olympic football tournament for men and women.
WHERE LIFE HAPPENS
In the Metropolis, we prepare for the future on a daily basis. Lille Metropole is strongly attached to its environment and acts responsibly in terms of water, waste, public transport, the V’lille bikes, energy renovation for housing, support for local agricultural networks, etc. Here, the COP21 spirit is still going strong, with the team formed by municipalities, inhabitants, companies, etc. Its strength centres around its dynamic Climate Plan, an enthusiastic and effective effort!
Eco friendly metropolis
Lille Metropole aims at becoming the champion of energy transition. Renewable energy production, innovative transport, and sustainable housing lie at the heart of its priorities. Optimizing energy efficiency is key to make sure that the Metropolis and the Hauts-de-France region can spearhead the third industrial revolution.
WHERE BUSINESS HAPPENS
Lille Metropole strives to be a unique destination for business tourism. The territory has all the assets for making every stay a success, and hospitality is its signature. Choosing Lille Metropole for your conference, trade fair, convention or seminar gives you access to a wide range of sites and facilities, a convention centre, and Lille Metropole’s multi-purpose stadium. You will also have access to over 8,000 hotel rooms, and the highly functional metropolitan transport network, including self-service bicycles and two metro lines...
You’ll find a great selection of restaurants where, thanks to creative chefs, good food often equates with gastronomy inventiveness. The territory boasts two cities of art and history, Lille and Roubaix, 30 museums, six of which hold the title of “Musée de France”, and 1,300 hectares of protected nature areas. Here, nature mingles with art and architecture, from 17th century Flemish facades to creations by today’s most talented builders.
Focus on professional meetings
At only one hour from Paris, 30 minutes from Brussels, and 1 hour 20 from London by TGV train, the Metropolis hosts 10,000 events every year. The biggest among them are held at the heart of Euralille, with an entire infrastructure (one of them being Lille Grand Palais, 45,000 m2 in the very core of the city, dedicated to conventions, congresses, exhibitions) built around its two TGV train stations, catering for the most significant meetings. The convention centre, the many 2 to 5-star hotels, and the casino are all within walking distance of the two stations.
