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.

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

5. 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

beffroi de la mairie de Lille | © Rrattuss/Flickr

6. The Fine Arts Museum

Museum

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lille is one of France’s finest with an extensive collection of paintings, prints, and sculpture as well as varied and thoughtful-temporary exhibitions.

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.

La grande roue de Noël sur la Grand Place de Lille (Nord).

7. Hospice Comtesse Museum

Building, Museum

Musée de lHospice Comtesse | © Velvet, Wikimedia Commons

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.

8. 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

Zebras In Lille Zoo, France. | © Jim Linwood/Flickr

9. 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

La Gaufre | © Taiwai Yun/Flickr

10. Natural History Museum

Museum

La galerie du musée dhistoire naturelle de Lille (Nord).

Take a trip around the world without leaving Lille at the Musée d’Histoire Naturalle. A fun and educational place to bring the kids along to enjoy the tactile, hands-on exhibits.

11. Artillery Museum

Museum

Canon de deux livres à létat débauche. Fonte de fer, an II. Inv. 1994-826.

This museum is fascinating for military and history buffs alike. Named Musée de Cannoniers Sédentaires de Lille (stationary cannoners), the exhibits feature 3,000 objects and a multitude of documents, armament, and materials used to defend the city.

12. 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

13. LaM Modern Art Museum in Villeneuve d'Ascq

Museum

Le nouveau bâtiment du LAM (Villeneuve-dAscq)

Located just 12 miles north of the city of Lille, the modern- and contemporary-art museum features a stunning sculpture garden and a terrific collection of Art Brut.

14. 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

15. 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

16. Wazemmes Market

Market

The buzzing-covered market in the lively Wazemmes District is a prime spot to pick up some foodie supplies and find out more about the regional specialties. It also serves as a fabulous perch to people watch and catch a glimpse of local life.

17. 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

EuraLille | © Jason Taellious/Flickr

18. Lille's Cathedral

Cathedral

Construction of the neo-Gothic Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille began in 1854. It took its name from a mythical 12th century statue of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a national monument and the seat of the Bishop of Lille.

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