Page 200 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

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Lille Parc Astérix Did You Know?
! E1 ⌂ Nord k £ @ ! E2 ⌂ Plailly # Apr–early Goscinny and Uderzo
n 1 rue du Palais Rihour; Nov (times vary, check were inspired by
www.lilletourism.com website) ∑ parcasterix.fr
Vercingetorix, who
Lille has excellent shops and Near Charles de Gaulle airport united the Gauls
markets and a powerful sense
a small fortified Gaulish village
against Rome.
EXPERIENCE Le Nord and Picardy is still used and some of the (Menhir FM). One of the most 15
of its historic Flemish identity – has its own customs controls,
the Flemish name, Rijssel,
currency and radio station
area’s one million residents
popular theme parks in France,
speak a Franco-Flemish patois.
it is dedicated to Asterix the
Laon
Gaul and all the other charac-
With heavy industry declining,
ters in Goscinny and Uderzo’s
the city has turned to high-
! E2 ⌂ Aisne £ n Hôtel-
tech. A modern commercial
famous cartoon strip: Getafix,
Dieu, pl du Parvis Gauthier
Obelix, Cacofonix et al. The
quarter, including the ultra-
de Montagne; www.
modern Euralille shopping
Romans are driven crazy as
complex, adjoins Lille Europe
than-life Gauls, who dodge
The capital of the département
station, the TGV/Eurostar/
of Aisne, Laon occupies a
Thalys rail interchange.
patrolling Roman centurions.
The city’s metro, VAL, is a they try to subdue these larger- tourisme-paysdelaon.com
Hilarious battles take place.
dramatic site on top of a long,
driverless automatic train. The park is as much about narrow ridge surrounded by
The city’s charm lies in its French history as about the wide plains.
historic centre, Vieux Lille – cartoons. Via Antiqua and the The pedestrianized rue
a mass of cobbled squares Roman City are light hearted Châtelaine leads to Laon’s
and narrow streets packed but still genuinely educational. splendid Cathédrale de Notre-
with stylish shops, cafés and The Rue de Paris shows this Dame. Completed in 1235, the
restau rants. Place du Général city through the centuries, cathedral lost two of its original
de Gaulle forms its hub, with including the construction of seven towers in the Revolution
façades including the 17th- Notre-Dame cathedral. but remains a fine monument
century Vieille Bourse (Old There are non-histor ical to the early Gothic style.
Exchange). Adjacent stand attractions too, such as a Details include the deep
the Nouvelle Bourse and dolphinarium and Zeus’ porches of the west façade,
the Opéra, both built in Thunder high-speed roller the four-storey nave and the
the early 20th century. coaster. Check out the latest carved Renaissance screens
The moated Cita del by rides – there’s usually some- enclosing its side chapels.
Vauban is also notable. thing new every year. The immense 13th-century

Families enjoying a ride at
the popular Parc Astérix
amusement park
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