Banks: 09:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to noon, Saturday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday

There is crime in Lille although the city centre is considered very safe for tourists. As with anywhere, don’t be tempted to wander around parks and strange suburbs at night. Pickpockets do operate in Lille, and to avoid becoming a victim keep valuables and cash out of sight and securely on your person, and be particularly mindful when in bus and train stations and when visiting major attractions.

220V, 50Hz; twin, round-pin sockets.

Lille, like any other major French city, doesn’t pose any significant risks to visitors’ health, with clean streets, high levels of food hygiene in restaurants and tap water that is safe to drink. The city also has good hospitals and clinics as well as 24-hour pharmacies. While visiting, EU citizens can receive free emergency medical treatment; however, it is recommended that you take out travel insurance before visiting Lille.

Emergency services: 15

Centre Hospitalier Saint-Vincent de Paul: +33 3 20 87 48 48

The official language of France is French although in Lille there is some Flemish influence from nearby Belgium and you may pick up a dialect on occasion.

France adopted the euro (EUR) in 2002, dropping the French franc. One euro (€1.00) is equal to 100 euro cents.

The following duty-free items can be brought into France for those arriving from outside the EU: 200 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco, or 50 cigars; 2 litres of wine and 1 litre of spirits over 22 per cent volume; 250ml of eau de toilette; and gifts up to the value of €175.00.

The French are more conservative than most Europeans, are well mannered and also dress very well. Open drunkenness is frowned upon. The French greet new people with a hand shake or kiss the left then the right cheek or people they are already familiar with. Don’t feel obliged to tip for poor service.

Citizens from the EU only need their passports or national ID cards to enter France; no visa is required. Visitors from elsewhere may need a tourists visa to enter France and should check with the French embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of intended stay.

The Lille Tourist Office provides tourist information on the city and surroundings, and can be found at Palais Rihour, BP 205, 5900 Lille. Phone: +33 3 2021 9421.