Lille has an active nightlife, catering mainly for the thousands of students who live and study in the city. To find out what's on, get a copy of Sortir, a free listings publication out every Wednesday, available from the tourist office.

Bars: La Part des Anges, 50 rue de la Monnaie, has an impressive wine list, with planches (wooden boards) loaded with cheeses or charcuterie to nibble on. Friendly service and laid back atmosphere. Try Les Trois Brasseurs, 22 place de la Gare, a big and bustling bar, or Le Moulin d'Or, 30 place du Théatre, which used to be a lingerie shop, now a very popular cafe. In the rue Royale area, BD Fugue Café at number 5, a funky comic store with a bar at the back, or at number 18, L'Illustration, where local intellectuals meet. Or try the Lounge Café at number 21 if cocktails are what you're after.

Clubs: Sapo, 11 rue de Gand, or La Scala, 32 place Louise de Bettignies just round the corner, are popular with students. So is Le Tri Postal, avenue Willy Brandt (near the Euralille Shopping Centre), which has live music, a bar and a club in an old postal sorting office. The Network Café, 15 rue du Faisan (website: www.networkcafe.fr) is one of the busiest (and trendiest) clubs in Lille, playing house and dance mainly.

Live Music: Try Le Tri Postal (see Clubs) or Le Splendid, 1 place du Mont de Terre (website: www.le-splendid.com). For more music venues see Culture.