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LILLE,
the host city of the Championships, is the fourth largest city in
France, offering tourists an astonishing diversity of experience.
A stroll round the city centre might start in the Grand
Place. You can wander through the pedestrian-only
streets that surround it, where there are window displays, dozens
of friendly cafés and cinemas galore. Then, back to
the Grand Place, to take some time to see inside the Vieille
Bourse, an architectural gem dating from 1653,
which has recently been restored. Amid the rich decoration of its
facades, the flower sellers and bookstalls in its cloisters, the
rich atmosphere of a truly great city can be enjoyed by everyone.
Many of the streets still have mediaeval lines and
quaint names like Mint Street,
the street of the Arch-backed Cats,
or the square of the Golden Lion.
In the heart of Old Lille,
the ancient facades and cobbled ways invite you to linger. You
should also see the city gates, fortified in the 17th century but
now sometimes transformed into restaurants. These are not the only
witnesses to the military past of Lille, which takes pride in its
citadel, a fort built by Vauban.
Lille is surrounded by
some of the loveliest countryside France has to offer, all within
easy reach of the city.
All the above make Lille
the ideal host of the World Championships and the schedule has been
arranged as to give the contestants plenty of time to enjoy the
cultural richess of the country.
The Lille Grand Palais
will be the venue for the championship. It is only five minutes on
foot from the old city of Lille.
Visitors can enjoy Lille's terraces in the heat of summer,
its cafés in winter, its marketplace, theatres, Opera
House, old streets, museums and the new international
business centre Euralille.
With its aesthetically pleasing outline, Lille Grand Palais
is a unique feat of architectural ingenuity. It is foremost in a new
generation of buildings, capable of welcoming events of 5,000 people
as well as seminars for 150 delegates.
Parking: Ample provision has been made for parking,
with underground facilities for 1,250 cars. Catering Services:
Lille Grand Palais offers various restaurant facilities,
ranging from a Banqueting hall seating 1,000 people, and a 400
seater cafeteria, to an à la carte restaurant for 100
people.
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Championships Press Room |
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