Lille

Travel Guide
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Experience the Flemish flair in the “Capitale des Flandres,” a sprawling city with an attractive Old Town, traditional markets, stately art museums and a citadel.

Lille is an architecturally superb city no longer seen as just an industrial metropolis. Retaining the convenience of a commercial hub, today one of France’s largest metropolitan areas highlights its heritage roots and breathtaking Flemish streetscape. Wander through the old city’s streets for a stunning display of heritage buildings, which house a collection of museums, galleries, hotels and restaurants. Try regional cuisine and enjoy the city’s nightlife, energized by the large student community.

Stroll along Le Vieux Lille’s historic city streets and investigate Flemish-influenced buildings tracing the city’s former Spanish Netherlands reign. Wander the stone-paved streets and notice brown-and-red brick façades and golden sandstone buildings. A notable example is the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a gorgeous museum filled with works by Goya, Rembrandt and Rubens within one of France’s largest art collections. See a contemporary collection of artworks at the Lille Métropole(LaM).

With a city heritage closely tied to the textiles industry, Lille is a fantastic place for shopping. Check out large retailers and forward-thinking new designers. La Grande Braderie is an eagerly awaited flea market that attracts thousands to the Old Town’s pedestrianized streets in the first weekend of September. Find year-round market action in the bustling Marché de Wazemmes. Pick up useful items ranging from fresh produce to furniture and electronics.

Visit Lille’s beautifully maintained botanical gardens, including a medicinal garden and a garden dating back to the 16th century. Lille’s largest public park and its compact zoo sit astride the massive fortress walls of the 17th-century Citadel.

Relax with a cup of coffee at one of Lille’s traditional terrace cafés. Sample Lilloise cuisine, including beer-stewed beef, or a more traditional Belgian meal of mussels and chips.

Lille is easy to reach by flights to the city’s international airport. It is located within a convenient railway triangle that links Paris, London and Brussels. Instead of passing through, disembark at Lille to experience the charms of this dynamic city in France’s far north.

Where to stay in Lille

Lille Centre Ville showing street scenes, a sunset and a city

Lille Centre Ville

4/5(16 area reviews)

Art galleries, museums, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Lille Centre Ville. Make a stop by Porte de Paris or Le Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Mairie de Lille Station or Rihour Station to get around town.

Lille Centre Ville
Old Lille which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a city

Old Lille

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Shopping, historic sites, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about Old Lille. Check out Lille Cathedral or Le Musée de la Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle while you're exploring the area.

Old Lille
Historic Center showing a city

Historic Center

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

Travelers choose Historic Center for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Rihour Station or Republique Beaux Arts Station and check out top sights like Rihour Square.

Historic Center
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Lomme

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Lomme. Top attractions like Tao et Lina and Lomme Urban Park are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bourg Station or Maison des Enfants Station to see more of the city.

Lomme
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Le Marais

While there might not be top attractions in Le Marais, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille.

Le Marais
Wazemmes showing a city and street scenes

Vauban - Wazemmes

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Vauban - Wazemmes is a destination travelers like for its bars, and you might hop aboard the metro at Wazemmes Station or Gambetta Station to explore sights like Theater Sebastopol.

Vauban - Wazemmes
Hotel Lille Europe
Hotel Lille Europe
3 out of 5
Avenue Le Corbusier, Allée de Liege, Lille, Nord
The price is $69 per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
$69
includes taxes & fees
$60 per night
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (987 reviews)
"Great location for the Eurostar and centre of town a short walk away. The room was ideal with a very comfortable bed and ensuite bathroom. Breakfast room on 1st floor had a wide selection of quality cereals, fruit, bread,croissants and some hot food selections. I would wholeheartedly recommend this ..."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Hotel Lille Europe
B&B HOTEL Lille Lillenium Eurasanté
B&B HOTEL Lille Lillenium Eurasanté
3 out of 5
306 Rue Geneviève Anthonioz de Gaulle, Lille
The price is $71 per night from Nov 11 to Nov 12
$71
includes taxes & fees
$61 per night
Nov 11 - Nov 12
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (251 reviews)
"Fast friendly checkin. Clean spacious great room on the 6th floor. Quiet and extra pillows. Thank you."

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

B&B HOTEL Lille Lillenium Eurasanté
Lille City Hotel
Lille City Hotel
3 out of 5
Passage 57 rue de Béthune, Lille, Nord
The price is $72 per night from Nov 3 to Nov 4
$72
includes taxes & fees
$62 per night
Nov 3 - Nov 4
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (252 reviews)
"The walls were thin. On the first night, I could hear the conversation from an adjoining room in the early hours of the morning."

Reviewed on Oct 8, 2024

Lille City Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
2 out of 5
271 Avenue Willy Brandt, Lille
Stay at this aparthotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Zenith Arena Concert Hall and Pierre Mauroy Stadium ...
7.2/10 Good! (966 reviews)
"Excellent location, comfortable room, helpful staff. Some signs wear & tear, but within what I would consider reasonable/expected of a low-cost room. Only negatives were the kettle was overdue a descaling and for an aparthotel I would have expected some recycling options for waste."

Reviewed on Sep 4, 2024

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est
The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est
161 Av. le Notre, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Nord
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (69 reviews)
"Nice clean place to stay with facility to cook within the rooms incase you have baby or toddlers. Plenty parking available around the property and pretty close to main town."

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2024

The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est
Cowool Lille Villeneuve D'Ascq - Ex Olivarius
Cowool Lille Villeneuve D'Ascq - Ex Olivarius
3 out of 5
Parc Haute Borne 6, avenue Halley, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,471 reviews)
"It was perfect as a spot to watch all of the Olympic basketball games! The staff was very nice and accommodating, the breakfast was fantastic, as well as the ladies who worked in the kitchen and made the breakfast. French hospitality at its finest."

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2024

Cowool Lille Villeneuve D'Ascq - Ex Olivarius
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lille

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
26
" "5 - Excellent 49.056603773584904%
4 - Good
23
" "4 - Good 43.39622641509434%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 7.547169811320755%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Try the local food, it's amazing. Beside that everywhere in the city is walk-able.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Loved it. Beautiful french city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It was a nice area to stroll around and relax or shop.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It’s beautiful but we didn’t know that in August a lot of local people closed their businesses because is vacation time for them. A lot of attractions were closed too.

5/5 - Excellent

Peggy

Lille is wonderful and more Americans should discover it, not only for the city itself, but as a base to visit the many war memorials.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful Lille France

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