A Solo Traveller's Guide To Lille

Easy access by Eurostar from London and Brussels and the eminently walkable old part of town are just some of the reasons why Lille is a great destination for a solo trip. Even if you are travelling for work, why not try to take some extra time before or after to enjoy the food, shopping, culture and the many surprises that the city has to offer?

Join a tour

When you are travelling alone you tend to pay more attention to your surroundings and notice things you would otherwise miss when you are in conversation with a travel buddy, so embrace the experience. A fun way to visit the city is to join a guided tour, either on foot, or on a bike. The Tourism Office can point you to a bike tour offering 9km of easy bike paths to unveil the hidden treasures of Vieux-Lille, the modern Lille Europe district, and the main landmarks with about a dozen stops for comments from the guide and to take photos.

Visit a museum

Check out special events

When you attend an event – even if you are all by yourself – by default you already have a common theme to spark a conversation. After all, you are there for the same reason as everyone else! There’s plenty on offer in Lille all year round depending on your interests. Food, music, heritage, film, and naturally the major events that Lille is famous for. Highlights include the Braderie flea market on the first weekend in September and Christmas Market and its dozens of wooden chalets full of gift ideas, as well major art exhibitions at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille, in the LaM in Villeneuve d’Ascq or La Piscine Museum in Roubaix.

Shop like a local

One of the boons of travelling solo is that it is easier to blend in with the everyday cityscape, and mingle with the locals. Markets are a perfect way to catch a glimpse of local colour, learn about food, discover a rare book in the second-hand stalls at the Vieille Bourse, spot a bargain in the great brocantes, and shop for something unusual or quirky to take back home.

Think ahead

Lille is legendary for its warm hospitality. If you are a solo female traveller you probably have to take a few more precautions, as in any big city, being aware that there may be cultural differences related to flirting. What is perceived as friendly smiles and enthusiastic conversation in one culture can be perceived as an encouragement and lead to awkward situations in another. After dark stay within the touristy streets, leave the more colourful neighbourhoods and markets for well-frequented daylight hours.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.