The Stade Auguste Bonal outfit have languished in the relegation zone since the third week of the top-flight season, making them its longest-serving inhabitants.
However, an unbeaten run of seven matches, including a 1-1 draw with champions Paris Saint-Germain, has seen Herve Renard's men climb to within a point of safety.
And it is this weekend's visitors Evian who currently occupy that safe haven of 17th position, only keeping their heads above water with a 2-0 win over Nice last weekend.
The rest of the division's strugglers will be breathing a sigh of relief this week. Despite sitting just two points clear of the drop zone, Montpellier, Guingamp and Nice are in no danger of falling into Ligue 2 due to the meeting between Sochaux and Evian.
The objective is simple for Lille in their season-closer at Lorient - equal or better Saint-Etienne's result at home to rock bottom Ajaccio to hang on to third spot.
