Lille Cathedral

This museum is second only to the Louvre in 🇲🇫 Continuing from the previous notes. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is one of the largest museums in France and the largest museum outside of Paris. It is one of the first museums established in France. The museum officially opened in 1809. In the 1990s, the museum was renovated and reopened in 1997. The museum covers an area of 22,000 square meters, and its collection is second only to the Louvre. Figures 12-14, military history enthusiasts will treasure these topographic maps of 18th-century northern France and Belgian defensive towns on display in the basement of the museum. These maps were used by the French king during the war. The history of the Lille topographic map coincides with major events in Europe from the 18th century to after World War II. These topographic maps were made in Lille between 1740 and 1743 and were sent to Versailles as soon as they were completed. Because the Lille topographic map was a strategic model, planning tool, and even a trophy, in 1815, the Prussians seized the Lille topographic map in Paris. In the same year, 19 topographic maps of the northeastern border of France were taken to Berlin, and because they were less damaged, they returned to Paris in 1948. The museum is located in the city center at Pl. de la République, 59000 Lille. It is closed on Tuesdays, open from 2 pm to 6 pm on Mondays, and open from 10 am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Adult tickets are 7 euros per person. Important! Free for everyone on the first Sunday of every month! All photos were taken by me. For more information about Lille and France, please see my other notes. Thank you for following!