Best things to do in Lille, France
We spent 10 days in Lille back in September 2023 and during that time got to know the city pretty well. We consider it a mini-Paris with its amazing food scene, style and shopping options.
Lille isn’t a big place but there is plenty to do in this charming city and with it being only 90 minutes away from London via the Eurostar, it makes a great long weekend destination.
Below is a list of our Lille highlights.
Explore the amazing food scene
Drink plenty of beer
Vieux-Lille - The old town
La vieille bourse - The old stack exchange (book market)
Grand Place (Général de Gaulle Square)
Palais des Beaux Arts
Lille Museum of Natural History
Marché de Wazemmes
The Marché du Concert
Day trip to Belgium or Paris
Explore the food scene
We found the food options in Lille to be exceptional. Several amazing restaurants are serving both French and international cuisine and we’ve written several individual guides about them. Some of our favourites include:
Paddo - An Australian style café perfect for brunch
Les Bouchers bien élevés - For french style meat dishes
Bloempot - For a fancier french meal
Le Comptoir Volant - For some amazing burgers, be prepared to queue during peak hours
See our more detailed guides below:
Make sure you try Merveilleux whilst you’re in Lille. They are local specialities consisting of a mound of meringue and whipped cream rolled in chocolate.
Another local dish to try is Le welch, Lille’s answer to a Welsh Rarebit. Le welch consists of a generous slice of bread soaked in beer, then topped with cooked ham and a thick layer of melted cheese, often cheddar, creating a rich and gooey delight. It's usually served in a hot skillet or crock, with the cheese bubbling away on top, and often comes accompanied by a side of fries and sometimes a small salad, to cut through the richness
Le Comptoir Volant - The burgers were amazing!
Merveilleux
Drink plenty of craft beer
No visit to Lille would be complete without sampling the local beer. The city boasts an impressive array of breweries and pubs where you can taste a variety of beers, from classic lagers to craft ales.
The vibrant beer culture in Lille is a reflection of its history and its people's love for good, quality brews. This makes sense seeing as it is so close to Belgium, known for its love of strong beers.
Wander around Vieux-Lille
Vieux-Lille is the old town of Lille and where we spent most of our time. It’s extremely pretty with its Flemish buildings and most of our food and drink recommendations are centred around here.
As well as restaurants and wine bars, Vieux-Lille has great shopping options ranging from high-end designers to boutique fashion houses.
La vieille bourse - The old stock exchange
This grand square, surrounded by Flemish Renaissance-style buildings, was once the epicentre of European trade.
Today, it's a haven for book lovers and collectors, thanks to the daily second-hand book market held in its picturesque courtyard. As you step through its arches, you're transported into a world where the aroma of old books blends with the echoes of Lille's vibrant past.
Grand Place (Général de Gaulle Square)
The Grand Place (officially known as Place du Général-de-Gaulle), is the main square of Lille, a space where the city's history, culture, and social life converge in a magnificent display.
Framed by impressive buildings that span various eras, the square is a vibrant tableau of Lille's architectural evolution, from the opulent Vieille Bourse to the modernist Voix du Nord building.
Throughout the year, the Grand Place plays host to a variety of events, including the famous Christmas market that transforms the square into a winter wonderland, complete with a Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city.
Palais des Beaux Arts
The Palais des Beaux-Arts stands as one of the country's largest and most significant art museums outside of Paris.
Housed in a grandiose Beaux-Arts building dating back to the late 19th century, this museum is a treasure trove of fine arts, drawing art enthusiasts from across the globe. Its collections are vast and varied, encompassing European paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and even a rarefied relief map collection, offering a journey through art history from the Middle Ages to modern times.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts is not just a museum; it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops, and concerts, making it a dynamic focal point in Lille's cultural landscape.
Lille Museum of Natural History
Situated in the heart of Lille, this museum offers a captivating glimpse into various realms of nature, including geology, zoology, and ethnography.
Its exhibits are both educational and engaging, showcasing a diverse collection that ranges from dinosaur fossils to a vivid display of insects, and a fascinating assortment of mammals and birds.
The museum is particularly famous for its ornithology collection, one of the most extensive in France, providing bird enthusiasts a rare treat. Another highlight is the geology section, which takes visitors on a journey through Earth's history with its collection of minerals and rocks.
Marché de Wazemmes
Held in the neighbourhood of Wazemmes, this market is a lively hub of activity where locals (Les Lillois) and tourists alike come to soak up the lively atmosphere and explore the myriad of stalls. Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and especially Sundays, when it truly comes to life, the market offers everything from fresh produce, exotic spices, and gourmet cheeses to textiles, crafts, and much more.
Beyond its food, the market is also a treasure trove for those looking to discover unique crafts and vintage finds, offering a glimpse into the local art and fashion scene.
The Marché du Concert
In the historic heart of Old Lille, this market offers a charming and more intimate alternative to the city's larger markets.
This hidden gem, situated in the picturesque Place du Concert square, operates every Sunday morning and is a favourite among locals.
As you meander through the small but carefully curated selection of stalls, you'll encounter vendors selling a variety of fresh, organic produce, artisan cheeses, handmade breads, and exquisite pastries that tempt every passerby. The market also features a selection of fine meats, seafood, and ready-to-eat delicacies, perfect for assembling a gourmet picnic to enjoy in one of Lille's scenic parks or squares.
Take a day trip
If you’re in Lille for a few days and you’ve got access to a car, then you can also use this opportunity to get to other nearby Small European cities within 2 hours. Some of these cities can also be reached by train in 45 minutes.
Ghent, Belgium (60 minute drive)
Brugge, Belgium (60 minute drive)
Antwerp (80 minute drive)
Brussels (80 minute drive)
Paris (70 minute train)
More guides on Lille
Perfect for a long weekend getaway, just 90 minutes from London via Eurostar, explore our top highlights from a 10-day adventure in what we call the mini Paris.