Citadel Lille

It was Markise Vauban who, at the request of Louis XIV, perhaps best known as the Sun King, began construction of the beautiful castle. Funnily enough, Louis XIV had in fact just conquered the city but nevertheless the construction lasted 3 years, from 1667 to 1670, when it was completed as a small town surrounded by five bastions covering an area of 2,200 m2. No less than 60 million bricks and 70,000 sandstones were used. Above the royal entrance gate, in Latin glosses, is a tribute to the glorious Sun King. The castle itself was part of a double fortification of the area between Gravelines, Dunkirk and Maubeuge, also known as the 'Pré Carré'.

Citadel Lille, was known as the 'Queen of the Castles', and is certainly worth a visit for the whole family.