Lille

Travel Guide
Lille featuring heritage architecture, night scenes and château or palace

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

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Lille Centre Ville

4/5(30 area reviews)

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

Lille Centre Ville
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Old Lille

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Shopping, historical sites and restaurants are some highlights of Old Lille. Make a stop by Le Musee de la Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle or Lille Cathedral while you're exploring.

Old Lille
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Historic Center

4.5/5(79 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Rihour Square and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Historic Center. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Rihour Station or Republique Beaux Arts Station.

Historic Center
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Lomme

3.5/5(5 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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Vauban - Wazemmes

3.5/5(10 area reviews)

Vauban - Wazemmes is a destination travellers 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
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Le Marais

While Le Marais isn't home to many top sights, Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille are some notable places to visit nearby.

Le Marais
Hotel Lille Europe
Hotel Lille Europe
3 out of 5
Avenue Le Corbusier, Allée de Liege, Lille, Nord
The price is HK$478 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
HK$478
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (976 reviews)
"Rooms clean and comfortable and breakfast was excellent. All staff very help and friendly. Very good value and with short distance of railway station and the centre of Lille. Lovely panoramic view at breakfast. My only suggestion is that for older people it would be useful to have a non slip mat ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

Hotel Lille Europe
Lille City Hotel
Lille City Hotel
3 out of 5
Passage 57 rue de Béthune, Lille, Nord
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$538 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
HK$538
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Popular attractions Zenith Arena Concert Hall and Pierre Mauroy Stadium ...
7.6/10 Good! (146 reviews)
Great stay
"We had a great 5 nights stay in Lille. The hotel is very clean and the staff very friendly and professional. The hotel location is very central."

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2024

Lille City Hotel
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
4 out of 5
13 rue d'Amiens, Lille
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$877 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
HK$877
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (327 reviews)
"Hotel close to downtown walking street, restaurant and shops. Loved the modern look and the 24/7 catering"

Reviewed on 20 Mar 2024

OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
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.
Residhotel Lille Vauban
Residhotel Lille Vauban
3 out of 5
69-71 Boulevard Vauban, Lille, Nord
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Zenith Arena Concert Hall and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (520 reviews)
Great little place to stay!
"Great little place to stay! I found all the staff at the desk friendly and helpful. Not stayed in an apartment/hotel place before so I didn’t know what to expect. My room had everything I needed for my 7 night stay. Good selection of cutlery/crockery/pans etc., for those who want to make/heat food ..."

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2023

Residhotel Lille Vauban
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. Popular attractions Pierre Mauroy Stadium and Zenith ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,392 reviews)
Disappointing
"Change of ownership seems to have reduced the quality of service. The hob and pans would not work as they had not been cleaned properly to work with induction. The hairdryer had been removed from the bathroom - had to go to reception to request a loan and told to return to reception. Breakfast was ..."

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2023

Cowool Lille Villeneuve D'Ascq - Ex Olivarius
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, and room service. Popular attractions Zenith Arena Concert Hall and Pierre Mauroy Stadium are located ...
7.4/10 Good! (868 reviews)
"Absolutely fine for one night for fair price. Shower was poor, but all clean and perfect location to explore Lille."

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2024

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
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

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
44
" "5 - Excellent 44.89795918367347%
4 - Good
41
" "4 - Good 41.83673469387755%
3 - Okay
7
" "3 - Okay 7.142857142857143%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 2.0408163265306123%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 4.081632653061225%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Feb 2020

Beautiful city, stunning buildings old town in particular is pretty

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Jan 2020

Eurostar goes there

4/5 - Good

Evan
17 Dec 2019

I didn't spend too much time in Lille so it wouldn't be fair to rate it either too good or too bad. From the quick look of the town it seems to be a really nice and quiet and family friendly town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Dec 2019

Good place to eat many excellent restaurants

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Dec 2019

After you've been, watch 'Les Ch'tis in Lille' from the film 'Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis'. Amazing!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Dec 2019

The Brier bakery just round corner from flat offered lovely brioche for breakfast.