Lille, France

Lille

Flemish-style facades and a cosy food scene in northern France.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Lille

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the Grand Place and the courtyard of the Vieille Bourse, with its book and flower stalls.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France's biggest art museums.
  3. EveningHave dinner in Vieux Lille's cobbled streets of Flemish-style houses.

Day 2

Visit La Piscine, an art museum in an old swimming pool in Roubaix.

What to eat

Welsh, cheese melted with beer over bread, and a waffle from Méert.

Local tips

Make the most of Lille

Beat the crowds

The Grand Place is lively all day; the old town (Vieux-Lille) is calmest on weekday mornings.

Best photo spot

The Flemish facades of the Vieille Bourse and the Grand Place, and the view from the belfry of the town hall.

Getting there

Trains from Paris take an hour and from Brussels about 35 minutes. The metro is driverless and easy.

Don't miss nearby

La Piscine in Roubaix, an art museum inside an old swimming pool, 20 minutes by metro.

Good to know

The huge Braderie flea market fills the city on the first weekend of September. Inside the Vieille Bourse courtyard there's a small book market most afternoons.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Lille

Our most hidden places around Lille: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Lille to take with you.

45 km away
71 km away
27 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Lille

Getting there

  • Lille Airport (LIL)8 km away
  • Brussels Charleroi Airport (CRL)100 km away
  • Bruges65 km away
  • Ghent65 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryFrance

Questions

Lille: good to know

Is Lille worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. Flemish-style facades and a cosy food scene in northern France.

How many days do you need in Lille?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Lille?

You can visit all year. The Grand Place is lively all day; the old town (Vieux-Lille) is calmest on weekday mornings.

How do you get to Lille?

The nearest airport is Lille Airport (LIL), about 8 km away. Trains from Paris take an hour and from Brussels about 35 minutes. The metro is driverless and easy.

What is there to see near Lille?

Nearby hidden places include Bruges (66 km), Ghent (66 km) and Brussels (94 km).

Day trips from Lille: 7 hidden places nearby
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