8 Exciting Things To See Do In Vieux-Lille Lille

As the name suggests, Vieux-Lille (or ‘Old Lille’) is the old town of Lille situated in the north side of town. Here you’ll find the true Flemish soul of the city: strolling past the red brick buildings as you wind through narrow cobbled streets, you may feel as if you’ve stumbled into an old Belgian neighborhood rather than a French one. This is also where most of Lille’s top sightseeing icons can be found. Check out our list of the best spots to explore in Vieux-Lille!

1. Saint André's Church

Church

Those especially interested in Charles de Gaulle’s life and times in Lille should make their next stop the the Church of Saint André, where the famed General was baptized. Saint André was built between the 18th and the 19th century by three different architects, each contributing to a mix of styles and detailing to create an original composition. It is now considered a treasured historical monument in France.

Citadelle

The Citadelle de Lille is a military fortification built in the 17th century as a defense for the city. It is also known as ‘la reine des citadelles’, the queen of military fortifications, a term coined by its own builder who was rightfully proud of the citadel’s remarkable dimensions and architectural quality. The main access to this well preserved fortress is constituted by the Porte Royale, closed through a drawbridge rack which faces the city. The Porte Dauphine was used as an emergency entrance to the fortress, and was a crucial way to bring in reinforcements and resources without enemy detection. The Citadelle is an ideal place to stroll around, especially on a sunny day when you can fully enjoy the playground, zoo, and the amusement park Les Poussins all located within the grounds. From there you can take your promenade one step further to the Bois de Boulogne, the largest green area of the city which can be found all around the Citadelle.

2. Lille’s Zoo

Zoo

Situated within the citadel and within walking distance from the city centre, Lille’s zoo stretches across an expanse of 3.5 hectares, divided in 6 thematic areas: the Aviary, the Tropical House, the Valley of the Monkeys, the Isle of Madagascar, American Land, and African Land. The zoo hosts 70 different animal species in all, including the rare white rhino, with a total of 250 individual creatures to discover. The goals of the zoo are to educate the public on matters of biodiversity and endangered species, and to raise awareness of particular species which are fighting extinction. Every year, about one million people visit this zoo and take part in the wide array of fun activities and animations organized here. Best of all, it’s free!
Price: Free admission
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM – 6 PM; Saturday-Sunday 10 AM – 7 PM; Closed on Tuesday.