The Palabos library offers a framework in C++ for fluid flow simulations with the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method. Originally conceived as a research tool for lattice Boltzmann models, the code has evolved into a general-purpose program for computational fluid dynamics. The programming interface is straightforward and offers an access to the rich world of lattice Boltzmann, even to an audience with restricted theoretical knowledge of this method. A special emphasis is put on high performance and parallel computing.