The Palais des Beaux-Arts is one of France's oldest museums, instituted by Napoleon in the early 19th century to increase art appreciation among the public. It currently holds one of the largest art collections in the country, representing the finest European artists throughout history.
Particular highlights of the museum include Old Woman/Time by Francisco Goya, Olga in a Fur Collar by Pablo Picasso, Study for the Alba Madonna by Raphael, and The Concert in the Egg by Hieronymus Bosch. The grand building itself is also notable, so leave a little time to explore the exterior; to learn more about its construction, you can join a guided walking tour of Lille.
The museum is located on Place de la République in the center of Lille. It’s easy to reach on foot from other parts of the city, and walking tours regularly stop here. The closest metro station is République-Beaux-Arts. Lille also operates a bike-sharing system. with stops around the city.
The museum is open every day of the week except for Tuesday (and some holidays), and is only open in the afternoon on Mondays. Ticket desks close 30 minutes before the museum shuts its doors.
With a mix of architectural styles and an interior that surprises with its modern stained glass and monumental organ, Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral is unique among historic churches. The building took almost 150 years to complete—the last stone was laid in the 1990s—and the varying design movements of this period are marked in the different types of decoration.
