Lille

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Lille is in Northern France on the border with Belgium.

Hitching Out

Getting out of Lille is quite difficult, but not impossible.

A22/E17 North towards Antwerp

You can avoid getting stuck in Lille by getting out at the last gas station on the A1. "Aire de repos de Carvin" is quite a big station, good for hitching, and it's 15km from the centre.

Otherwise, take the tramline line T to Chateau Rouge. As you get out, you'll see the motorway directly in front of you. The spot is the motorway sliproad. When I was there there wasn't a lot of traffic, but there is an additional lane which allows drivers to safely pull in and pick you up.

A1 South toward Paris

Perhaps the best shot would be to go for "Aire de repos de Carvin" which is 15km south on the A1. You can try to head for Seclin and go south from there. The spot is here:

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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=17821310143498789781,50.531179,3.046576%3B1640538497857492569,50.636950,3.062470&saddr=A1+%4050.531179,+3.046576&daddr=&mra=mr&doflg=ptk&sll=50.57408,2.996521&sspn=0.2067,0.601501&ie=UTF8&ll=50.57408,2.996521&spn=0.2067,0.601501&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>

If you fancy your chances with stopping cars at traffic lights, then you could try from Rue d'Arras (metro: Porte d'Arras), but Zactalk had no luck. The curbs are high and your only chance is to catch someone at the stoplight and hop in quick.

A22/E17 South towards Paris

Take the tramline line T to Chateau Rouge. As you get out, you'll see the motorway directly in front of you. The spot is the motorway sliproad - you'll see it signposted 'Paris'.

When I was there there wasn't a lot of traffic, but there is an additional lane which allows drivers to safely pull in and pick you up. The problem is that not all the cars taking this route are going to be heading South so make a sign and be patient. International Bob stopped a number of cars here.

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lille,+chateau+rouge&ie=UTF8&ll=50.637183,3.063017&spn=0.084657,0.102869&output=embed&s=AARTsJqFIPukOd1F9DzXZeDz-I2RQRC0gA"></iframe>
<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lille,+chateau+rouge&ie=UTF8&ll=50.637183,3.063017&spn=0.084657,0.102869&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a>

Sleep

Lille is expensive and is not very comfortable for the outdoorsperson. You probably wont have much of a problem with the police, but the drunks taking being a lunatic very seriously and they don't ever seem to pass out and leave you alone. As a result, you'll be met with all sorts of unwanted babeling conversation and one even tried to strangle Zactalk with a belt. Gare Lille Flandres is especially unhospitable.