  Seventeen years of hard X-ray observations with the instruments of the
INTEGRAL observatory, with a focus on the Milky Way and in particular on the
Galactic Centre region, have provided a unique database for exploration of the
Galactic population of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Our understanding of
the diverse energetic phenomena associated with accretion of matter onto
neutron stars and black holes has greatly improved. We review the large variety
of INTEGRAL based results related to LMXBs. In particular, we discuss the
spatial distribution of LMXBs over the Galaxy and their X-ray luminosity
function as well as various physical phenomena associated with Atoll and Z
sources, bursters, symbiotic X-ray binaries, ultracompact X-ray binaries and
persistent black hole LMXBs. We also present an up-to-date catalogue of
confirmed LMXBs detected by INTEGRAL, which comprises 166 objects. Last but not
least, the long-term monitoring of the Galactic Centre with INTEGRAL has shed
light on the activity of Sgr A* in the recent past, confirming previous
indications that our supermassive black hole experienced a major accretion
episode just ~100 years ago. This exciting topic is covered in this review too.
