Founded in 1875, Université Catholique de Lille (la Catho) is a private university in France with over 24,000 students. The university is situated at the centre of the Vauban district, a residential neighbourhood in the heart of the city made up of cosmopolitan markets, stylish shops and beautiful gardens. On campus, students have access to shops, cafés, and restaurants which are very convenient for daily life. The major tourist attractions (Vieux-Lille, Grand Place) are just a 15-minute walk away from campus.
Lille is an attractive and vibrant city with an overall student population of more than 100,000, nearly half the city population in a region with over 2 million inhabitants. The city is recognized as one of France’s most dynamic towns with a wide variety of cultural and sporting activities including fine museums, concert halls, and theaters. Famous throughout France and Europe for its warm and friendly atmosphere, the city is alive with cafés, clubs and restaurants.
Its location "at the crossroads of Europe" has made Lille a strategic location in the past as well as a vital city in Modern France. Its history is full of important events, from the different invasions to its role in WW2, which makes it an interesting city to explore. Wandering along its cobbled streets, students will walk past wonderful buildings and old monuments that tell its history. All of these factors make Lille an excellent city to spend a semester or year abroad!
