Cities

The capital of Flanders, Lille is located in the Nord department of France. Bordering Belgium, England, the Netherlands, and Paris, it is at the heart of European economic exchange. Historically, Lille is an industrial city that developed primarily around the automotive and rail sectors, textiles, and food processing. Bisected by the Deûle River, Lille was also a major trading port. For several decades now, the focus has been on the service sector with the creation of Euralille, the new business district, as well as the development of public and private services. Lille has also embraced the challenges of new technologies by developing EuraTechnologies, one of the largest startup incubators in Europe. Nicknamed the heart of French Tech, it supports digital companies by offering them various services (workspaces, tools, etc.). A true driver of innovation in France, Euratechnologies promotes employment and is one of the economic pillars of Lille.

Today, Villeneuve d’Ascq covers 2,800 hectares, more than a third of which is dedicated to green spaces. With its 1,000 hectares of parks, lakes, forests, pastures, gardens, and farmland, the city offers an exceptional living environment, in harmony with nature. This natural heritage is a major asset, contributing to the well-being of its residents while affirming the sustainable and human character of Villeneuve d’Ascq, making it a 21st-century city that embraces nature and will one day be a "food-producing" city.