20 Unmissable Attractions in Lille
The friendly and bustling city of Lille has so much to offer visitors and tourists including historical landmarks, museums, heritage sites, shopping, art, great hotels, and restaurants. All of that much enhanced by the legendary warm welcome of its people, here are some of the must-see places to check out while in Lille.
La Grande Place
The emblematic Grande Place is the beating heart of the city and a favourite meeting point for visitors and locals alike. A perfect place to people watch while perched in one of the cafés around the square.
La Grande Place, Lille, France
La Grande Place | © Laurent Ghesquière/Courtesy of OTCL Lille
La Citadelle
The star-shaped military fortress from the 17th century is still an active army base to this day. A visit to the Citadelle is a perfect way to learn about Lille’s history and understand why it became such a critical crossroads for trade and a strategic hot spot in wartime. Group tours are arranged by the Tourism Office.
Citadelle de Lille, Avenue du 43e régiment d’infanterie, Lille, France, +33 04 43 05 12 90
Citadelle Vauban de Lille hébergeant le QG CRR-Fr | © Piocrr/Wikimedia Commons
La Vieille Bourse
One of the most iconic buildings in the city, the old stock exchange is a historical monument that is actually a collection of 24 identical houses built in the 17th century around a striking courtyard.
Vieille Bourse, Place Charles de Gaulle, 59000 Lille, France, +33 891 56 20 04
Vieille Bourse | Courtesy of OTC Lille
Birthplace of Charles de Gaulle
Lille’s native hero Charles de Gaulle is probably mostly known as the leader of the France Libre during the Second World War and as a long-serving president of the French Republic. Today, his home is a museum in his honour that retells the story of his formative years and offers a glimpse into life in Lille in the early 20th century.
Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle, 9 Rue Princesse, Lille, France, +33 3 28 38 12 05
© Laurent Ghesquière/Courtesy of OTCL Lille
The Belfry
Dominating the landscape and protected as a World Heritage Site, the belfry at City Hall offers a splendid 360-degree panorama of Lille. After climbing 100 steps, visitors can opt for the elevator the rest of the way up. It is worth it for a bird-eye view of how the city developed.
Beffroi de Lille, Place Roger Salengro, Lille, France, +33 891 56 20 04
The Fine Arts Museum
Museum
Christmas Markets
A magical time to visit Lille is during the month of December when the city dons its garlands and fairy lights for its famous Christmas market. Dozens of chalets offer delicious local treats, gingerbread, vin chaud, regional specialties, and arts and crafts.
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Hospice Comtesse Museum
Building, Museum
A converted 17th-century hospice bears witness to history through the stories of the soldiers and civilians that passed through over the years. The Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse even features a beautiful garden growing the medicinal herbs and plants used to treat patients in their care. The exhibits in the grand building are complemented with priceless works of art that add an extra layer of interest to the visit.
Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse, 32 Rue de la Monnaie Lille, France, +33 3 28 36 84 00
Courtyard of Hospice Comtesse in Lille, France. | © Velvet/Wikimedia Commons
Braderie de Lille
Around the first Sunday in September, the entire city dresses up for the Braderie de Lille, a gigantic open-air flea market that turns into one huge festival. An opportunity to bag a bargain, find an antique treasure, and enjoy one of the many events and concerts timed around the Braderie.
Lille Zoo
Park, Zoo
One of the best-known zoological parks in France, the Lille Zoo is host to one million visitors every year. Its location on the verdant park around the Citadelle makes it a fun and relaxing outing for the family.
Zoo de Lille, Avenue Mathias Delobel, Lille, France +33 03 28 52 07 00
La Maison Meert
Sweet-tooth paradise found. Meert is home of the authentic Gaufre Fourrée de Lille, a delicate, thin-waffle sandwich filled with vanilla cream that was a favourite of royalty and President de Gaulle. Lots of sweet treats and pastries on offer as well as a selection of their signature chocolates.
Maison Meert, 27 Rue Esquermoise, Lille, France, +33 03 20 57 07 44
Natural History Museum
Museum
Artillery Museum
Museum
Botanical Gardens
The Jardin des Plantes in the southern tip of Lille is a hidden jewel. It has a rose garden, acres of trees, and a lovely tropical-plant greenhouse. The botanical gardens, within easy reach on the metro, offer a lovely break to relax in between sightseeing adventures.
Jardin des Plantes, 306 Rue du Jardin des Plantes, Lille, France, +33 03 28 36 13 50
Les bassins du jardin des plantes de Lille (Nord). | © Velvet/Wikimedia Commons
LaM Modern Art Museum in Villeneuve d'Ascq
Museum
Saint-Maurice Church
Building, Church
The peculiar shape of a hallekerque is designed to spread the weight of the building to suit the soft and yielding soil of Flanders, and the Eglise Saint-Maurice is a beautiful and archetypal example of this type of construction.
Paroisse Saint Maurice, 19Bis Parvis Saint-Maurice, Lille, France, +33 03 20 06 07 21
Église Saint-Maurice. Vue de l’abside. | © Velvet/Wikimedia Commons
La Piscine de Roubaix
Museum, Swimming Pool
Located just 14 km (8.7 miles) from Lille, the famous-art space La Piscine, or Musée d’Art et d’iIndustrie André-Diligent, occupies a former art-déco swimming pool converted into a sensational art museum featuring an important collection of fine and decorative arts.
Musée d’Art et d’Industrie André Diligent, 23 Rue de la Espérance, Roubaix, France, + 33 3 20 69 23 60
La Piscine, art and history museum in Roubaix (Nord – France) | © Camster2/Wikimedia Commons
Wazemmes Market
Market
Euralille
Get a sense of Lille’s strategic importance as a trade and cultural hub. The third biggest business district in France, Euralille is home to the Eurostar station joining Paris, Brussels, and London as well as hotels, a casino, restaurants, and one of France’s biggest shopping centres.
Euralille, 100 Avenue Willy Brandt, 59000 Lille, France, +33 3 20 14 52 20
Lille's Cathedral
Cathedral
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