The process of getting to Lille is typical of most travel to Europe. I flew out of Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, and took a Delta flight to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. The flight was uneventful (thankfully), and my oversized luggage and I arrived intact. The signs at CDG were easy to follow, being in French, English, and (sometimes) Japanese. I didn't have to leave the airport to get to the TGV train station for my train to the Gare de Lille Europe. (I pre-purchased my ticket online, but self-serve kiosks are in the station as well.)
The Gare de Lille Europe and Gare de Lille Flandres stations are within a block of each other, but the direct train line from CDG to Lille was the Europe line (photo is of the Gare de Lille Flandres interior). In total, the ride lasted about an hour and fifteen minutes. After arriving in Lille, I left the train station, walked up the hill to the Euralille mall area and easily found a taxi (10 euros) that took me to my apartment.
My apartment is in the Beaux Artes area of Lille - a bit noisy, but safe, and within easy walking distance of shopping and Sciences Po, our exchange university in Lille. Seventeen hours after living my home in the North side of Atlanta, I had reached my French home sweet home.