- The Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle) is spectacular—especially the Old Stock Exchange.
- Vieux Lille is full of cobblestones, boutiques, and waffle shops (Meert is famous).
- The Palais des Beaux-Arts is the second largest art museum in France (after the Louvre).
- The Braderie de Lille (September) is the biggest flea market in Europe—millions of visitors.
- It's only 1 hour from Paris and 1.5 hours from London by train.
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When to go: Spring or September
Spring and early Summer are lovely. The terraces fill up.
September (first weekend) is the Braderie—a huge party and market. Go if you love crowds and mussels. December has a charming Christmas market.
- September: The Braderie.
- December: Christmas market.
- Spring: Best sightseeing.
Getting there: Train (Eurostar/TGV)
Lille has two main stations: Lille Europe (Eurostar/TGV) and Lille Flandres (regional). They are 500m apart.
Lille Airport (LIL) is small. The shuttle bus takes 20 mins to the center. Most people arrive by train.
- Train: Major European hub.
- Shuttle: Airport link.
- Walk: Stations are central.
Where to stay: Vieux Lille or Centre
Stay in Vieux Lille for charm, luxury, and quiet streets. Stay near the Grand Place/Stations for convenience and shopping.
Gambetta/Wazemmes is cheaper, livelier, and has a great market.
- Vieux Lille: Charming, upscale.
- Centre: Convenient.
- Wazemmes: Bohemian, market.
What to see: Art and Old Town
Wander Vieux Lille. Visit the Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange) to see book sellers in the courtyard. Go to the Palais des Beaux-Arts.
La Piscine (in nearby Roubaix) is an art museum in an old Art Deco swimming pool—it's stunning.
- Grand Place: The heart.
- Vieille Bourse: Architecture gem.
- Palais des Beaux-Arts: Masterpieces.
- La Piscine (Roubaix): Unique museum.
Food: Welsh and Mussels
Try 'Le Welsh'—bread soaked in beer, covered in ham and melted cheddar, with an egg. It's heavy and amazing. Moules-frites (mussels and fries) is the other staple.
Buy vanilla waffles at Meert (Charles de Gaulle's favorite). Drink local beer (Ch'ti).
- Le Welsh: Cheese overload.
- Moules-frites: Classic.
- Meert Waffle: Vanilla filled.
- Merveilleux: Meringue cream cake.
Getting around: Walk and Metro
Lille is compact. Walk everywhere in the center. The Metro (VAL) is the world's first automated metro—use it to get to Roubaix (La Piscine).
V'Lille is the bike share system.
- Walk: Best for Old Town.
- Metro: Fast to suburbs.
- Bike: Flat city.
Budget: Moderate
Lille is cheaper than Paris but more expensive than rural France. Food is good value.
Museums have reasonable fees (or are included in the City Pass).
- Food: Good value.
- Hotels: Pricey during Braderie.
- Transport: Cheap.
2 Days in Lille
Day 1: Vieux Lille. Grand Place and Vieille Bourse. Wander the cobbled streets. Lunch: Welsh. Visit the Hospice Comtesse Museum. Waffle at Meert.
Day 2: Art. Morning at Palais des Beaux-Arts. Afternoon: Take the metro to Roubaix to see La Piscine. Dinner: Mussels.
- Day 1: History and cheese.
- Day 2: Art and swimming pools.
- Evening: Beer bar.
FAQ
Is it safe?
Yes, very. Some areas south of the center can be gritty, but the tourist zones are safe.
Do they speak English?
Yes, better than in many parts of France due to the proximity to the UK/Belgium. But try a little French first.
Is the Welsh actually Welsh?
It's based on Welsh Rarebit, but the Lille version (swimming in cheese and beer) is its own beast. It's a local obsession.