Useful Information
Lille: your gateway to Europe
IESEG School of Management is located in the heart of Lille in Northern France. It is an European metropolis and a city of culture and tradition as well. With 5 European capitals within a 250 km radius, Lille is a strategic cross-road in Northern Europe. High-speed trains (TGV) put downtown Lille 1 hour away from Paris, 1 hour and 40 minutes from London and 40 minutes from Brussels!
With 1.2 million inhabitants, the metropolis of Lille is the third-largest urban area in France. It is renowned for its friendliness and its youthful vitality, thanks to more than 150,000 students.
Lille, a centre for higher education and research
Lille is one of the largest French cities in terms of students, universities, institutes, schools and "Grandes Ecoles" (the elite higher-education centres). The metropolis boasts 340 research laboratories and 4,000 scientists.
The entrepreneurial spirit
Endowed with an ideal geographical position, the Lille Metropolis has naturally become a hub of international trade, as well as a magnet for foreign direct investment.
The region boasts over 500 foreign funded enterprises, including world leaders and household names, such as: ABN AMRO, Bayer, Bridgestone, BASF, Bombardier, BP, Campbell Soup, Coca Cola, Ferruzi, GAP, ICI, Mc Cain, Mölnlycke, Pirelli, Siemens, Toyota, Unilever, US Robotics, and Xerox.
The region is the cradle and home base of major French firms such as Auchan, Bonduelle, La Redoute, or Peaudouce.
More information:
http://www.mairie-lille.fr/
http://www.lilletourisme.com/
http://www.cdt-nord.fr/fr/
Nightlife
The exciting and warm atmosphere of the city does not disappear with nightfall. Lille has a large number of bars, cafés, restaurants and movie theatres.
The coolest hangouts are in the Old Town and the Old Halles districts. After dinner, you may check-out the various bars and pubs, in Lille or across the border, in one of Belgium's much appreciated beer palaces.
Sports and Nature
With more than 800,000 members spread over almost 10,000 clubs, the region demonstrates its attachment to the practice of sports. The Metropolis of Lille alone has more than 350,000 sports club affiliates.
The region is also home to prominent football/soccer and basketball teams, as it hosts international competitions in athletics all year-round.
Last but not least, the region boasts a beautiful natural environment with many seaside resorts and harbours along its 120 kilometres of coastline, lovely rivers and several regional parks.
Lille Catholic University
Lille Catholic University, France's largest private university
Lille Catholic University, founded in 1875, has become a leading centre for higher education in France. It is the largest private campus in the country with 17,000 full-time students.
The University offers more than 50 degrees, in 5 major areas: Humanities, Law/Economics/Business Administration, Science/Engineering/Technology, Medicine and Theology.
Its originality lies in the fact that diplomas are available both in the traditional-style University Faculties and the high-profile "Grandes Ecoles".
Highlighting innovation in teaching
Lille Catholic University is renowned for its top-grade teaching. It is linked to its vocational expertise, while fully preparing students to their future careers. Work placements and practical internships are integrated into the curriculum.
One of the essential characteristics of all teachings on campus is the importance attached to humanities; all students take courses in philosophy, religious studies, culture or ethics.
Breeding excellence in research
Lille Catholic University is an important research centre: it hosts 70 research teams collaborating with major research institutes.
The university has 13 libraries, including a Central Library that holds 400,000 volumes. The University's Management Library, which IÉSEG School of Management co-funds, boasts some 35,000 volumes and over 1,000 periodicals.
Services
Accommodation
Students wishing to stay in AEU's (University Support Service Association) dorms, may fill-out and send (with the application form) an application for accommodation in a student dorm that will be forwarded to this association.
Through its accommodation service, Lille Catholic University also offers bedrooms and studio apartments that will range from €220/month to €600/month.
Catering
University Restaurant "Le Meurein"
As soon as your student card is made, you will be able to benefit from subsidised meals in the University Restaurants ("RU") of Lille. "RU" meals cost around €2.80, with an unbeaten quality/price ratio (a 10 ticket-booklet will cost you €28).
The closest University Restaurant is "Le Meurein". It is managed by AEU and is located only 300m away from IÉSEG. "Le Meurein" is open for lunch and dinner.
Outside catering
IESEG has two cafeterias offering drinks, pastries and sandwiches (meals between €1.60 and €4.10 Euros).
AEU also manages a restaurant, a cafeteria-crêpe-sandwich shop, a snack club, a Flemish sandwich shop; all of which provide catering at moderate prices.
The neighbourhood of AEU and IESEG is full of sandwich shops, crêperies (which allow quick snacks at a limited cost), as well as traditional restaurants or "brasseries" (French restaurant pubs). Allow between €8 and €15 for meals in traditional restaurants at lunch during the week, and a minimum of €15 in the evenings or during weekends.
Self catering
Student dorms, hotel studios, outside lodging: all include an individual or common kitchen. Self-catering ranges between €2.30 and €3 Euros per meal. Markets, supermarkets and grocery stores are common around IESEG.
Public transportation
The public transportation network
Lille metropolis has a practical, modern, clean and convenient public transportation network. All modes of transportation exist: subway/underground, bus and street-cars. The network is managed by a single company: Transpole. One ticket will take you anywhere, while connections between various modes of transportation are free.
Tickets are about €1.25 per unit or €10,30 for 10 ticket booklets. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are at a discount rate.
Metro and bus maps, fees and timetables, are all available at: TRANSPOLE