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Lille, France came into its own on the tourist scene as the host of the 2004 Summer Olympics. Bringing the Olympics to the city was a major incentive for the French government to invest in the city’s infrastructure and make the town tourist-friendly. Before, Lille was considered a dirty, industrial center, but was transformed into a cultural hot-spot. The city is less French in character than Flemish, but the local hero is as French as they come. General de-Gaulle is revered in the main square, which is named for him – Place du Général-de-Gaulle, though it’s more casually referred to as Grand Place. Combined with the two squares of Place Rihour and Place du Théâtre it becomes the city’s focal point. The Vieux Lille is the city’s old quarter, and a great spot to grab a snack in one of the area’s restaurants or visit some shops.