Lille Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Corey Littlefair
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

Default Image

Lille Centre Ville

4/5(7 area reviews)

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

Lille Centre Ville
Default Image

Old Lille

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

Old Lille
Default Image

Historic Center

4.5/5(8 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
Default Image

Lomme

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
Default Image

Vauban - Wazemmes

5/5(1 area review)

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
Default Image

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 NZ$94 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
NZ$94
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
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! (975 reviews)
Excellent Location
"Just a very short walk from both Lille Europe (Eurostar) train station, and Lille Flanders (regional); station this hotel is ideally situated for stays in Lille and/or as a hub for days out elsewhere. The hotel itself is clean and the staff very helpful. The rooms, whilst not the largest are more ..."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Hotel Lille Europe
Lille City Hotel
Lille City Hotel
3 out of 5
Passage 57 rue de Béthune, Lille, Nord
The price is NZ$112 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
NZ$112
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Zenith Arena Concert Hall and Pierre Mauroy ...
7.6/10 Good! (163 reviews)
A good place to stay
"Good location, pleasant people, good price."

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Lille City Hotel
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
4 out of 5
13 rue d'Amiens, Lille
The price is NZ$168 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$168
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (338 reviews)
"Very nice hotel super central quite new"

Reviewed on 24 Apr. 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.
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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (878 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
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). Popular attractions Pierre Mauroy Stadium ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,403 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
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 (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Zenith Arena ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (531 reviews)
"Nice hotel with in walking distance to old town centre."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Residhotel Lille Vauban
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

Activities

Reviews of Lille

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 55.55555555555556%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 11.11111111111111%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
28 Oct 2019

Lille is quite simply magnificent. It is beautiful. The people friendly. It’s easy to get around. Highly recommended

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Sep 2019

Great shopping lots of small individual stores. Bakeries are excellent.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Aug 2019

A beautiful city, with unique architecture and great food

1/5 - Terrible

Ross
16 Feb 2019

There are plenty of other options in the area that are great - there is no need to stay in a noisy hotel run by indifferent and rude management.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Jan 2019

It was a pleasure to see the monuments located around Lille.

Cities near Lille