FRANCE

FRANCE

France is located in Western Europe and has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years.
It is famous for its major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.

LILLE
                                     
Lille is the tenth largest city and fourth largest metropolis (1.9 million inhabitants including 700 000 over the Belgian border) in France. With 36 % of the population aged under 25, Lille is a vibrant, young and dynamic city.
In 2004, Lille was European Capital of Culture and obtained the title of “City of Art and History”.

Lille is an ideal short break location for wheelchair users as it is completely accessible. The majority of restaurants are step- free with a disabled toilet and many have a sticker in the window of a wheelchair to let you know it is adapted. I wined and dined in Monsieur Jean, Le Barbue d’Anvers, Hotel Hermitage Gantois and Vivat Factory, all with no access problems.

The road kerbs are all smooth and the pavements in the new town are flat with ramps where needed. The old town, however, is mainly cobbled but some provisions have been made, where possible.
I stayed at the Lucien Barrière Hôtels & Casino in the Euralille district, which is close to the town centre and public transport. It is about ten minutes from the Eurostar station.  The rooms and suites at the hotel were all designed by interior decorator Pierre-Yves Rochon, with 4 rooms and a suite specially designed for the disabled. My room had an adapted bathroom, a dressing table you could put your legs under, and a ‘Do No Disturb’ button rather than sign. A disabled lift also offered buttons with braille underneath.

The hotel includes 3 restaurants, a fine-dining restaurant for refined dishes from northern Europe, a snack area offering fresh, natural produce, and a brasserie with terrace and parasols, opening onto the Parc des Dondaines. There is also a bar near the casino entrance.
I travelled on the Eurostar from London St Pancras. A temporary lift puts you o and off the train and you are seated (in your wheelchair) next to your companion with a small, accessible, toilet nearby.