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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

Architectural Landmark

Grand Place, Lille, France
Zhu Yunxiao / Unsplash

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 Citadelle

Park, Zoo

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.

La Vieille Bourse

Architectural Landmark

Vieille Bourse de Lille, Place du Général de Gaulle, Lille, France
Jacques Dillies / Unsplash

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.

Birthplace of Charles de Gaulle

Historical Landmark

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.

The Belfry

Architectural Landmark

Belfry, Lille, France
Zhu Yunxiao / Unsplash

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.

The Fine Arts Museum

Museum

Musée des Beaux Arts, Lille
© Sylvia Edwards Davis
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

Market

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.

Hospice Comtesse Museum

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.

Braderie de Lille

Market

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

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.

La Maison Meert

Architectural Landmark

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.

Natural History Museum

Museum

La galerie du musée dhistoire naturelle de Lille (Nord).
© Velvet/Wikimedia Commons
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.

Artillery Museum

Museum

Canon de deux livres à létat débauche. Fonte de fer, an II. Inv. 1994-826.
© Ash Crow/Wikimedia Commons
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.

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

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.

LaM Modern Art Museum in Villeneuve d'Ascq

Museum

Le nouveau bâtiment du LAM (Villeneuve-dAscq)
© Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/Flickr
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.

Saint-Maurice Church

Architectural Landmark

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.

La Piscine de Roubaix

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.

Wazemmes Market

Market

Le dimanche à Wazemmes
© Frédérique Voisin-Demery/Flickr
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.

Euralille

Architectural Landmark

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.

Lille's Cathedral

Cathedral

Lille Cathedral, France
Diane Picchiottino / Unsplash
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.

Jardin Vauban

Although Vauban Garden was created by the head gardener of Paris, the public park is the perfect example of the English countryside. The garden was established in 1863, and is home to over 20,000 species of flora and fauna, including trees that over 100 years old. The park is adorned with statues of prominent Frenchman and Lille natives, and also features a goat house that has been conformed into a marionette playhouse for children. Vauban is open to pets, so bring your dog and watch him run around the grass, which spans over three hectares. Vauban Garden is a beautiful park, so stop by with the whole family to enjoy a pleasant walk, fun picnic, game of Frisbee, and more. Recommended by Shyla Watson.

La Gare Saint Sauveur

Opened in 1848, La Gare Saint Sauveur was a bustling railway station that brought goods in and out of the city. After decades of lively and successful activity, the station came to a close in the early 2000s. Since then, the city has slowly transformed the 20-acre space into a thriving city center, complete with a restaurant and bar, and movie theatre. However, there is still so much space that has gone undeveloped. While the city works on occupying the rest of the space, La Gare Saint Sauveur is used as a venue for concerts, weddings, and other special events. It is most notably the location for Lille 3000, a French art and culture festival. Cities from around the world participate in celebrating, and showcasing, their culture through art. It only takes place every three years, so be sure that you don’t miss the next one! And just in case you do, La Gare Saint Sauveur is still a great place to go and be a part of the community. Recommended by Shyla Watson.

Opéra de Lille

Built to replace its 18th century predecessor, which burned down in 1903, Opéra de Lille opened its doors in 1923. Germans occupied the neo-classical structure during World War I, and they took over most of the furnishings and interior items, before relinquishing it back to the city four years later. The music hall is designed with grand splendor, featuring a magnificent staircase, fireplace, foyer, and stage. Much of the opera house is adorned with sculptures, elegant lighting, beautiful paintings, and ornaments of gold. Enjoy a classy night out on the town by dressing up and attending a show. The orchestra is fantastic, and there is such a variety of performances that take place, you’re guaranteed to find something that amazes you. After the show, go for dinner or dessert at a nearby restaurant. Opéra de Lille is located in the city square, so there is so much to do and see in the area! Recommended by Shyla Watson.

Le Musée de Plein Air

Le Musée de Plein Air, or The Open Air Museum, is the site of a historic village community from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Rural Heritage Association saved it from demolition back in the 1990s, and it has since been reconstructed as a living museum. Each with their own unique architectural history, explore the 20 buildings that were once vital staples of the community, including a medical house with medicinal plants and pharmaceutical objects, a craft workshop, a communal bake house, a chapel, and more. There are free, guided tours every Sunday, although the museum is also open during the week for you to explore. Surrounded by so many beautiful gardens, the museum is frequently used as a venue for concerts, festivals, and other special events. Be sure to look into attending a workshop on woodworking, baking bread, construction, gardening, and many others. Recommended by Shyla Watson.

Beer Week

Lille has a long and thriving brewing culture that picks up to fever pitch each October during beer week. Discover and taste local beers and enjoy the program of special events, bike rides, conferences, and games. It’s a fun time for twentysomethings to meet the locals, make friends, and expand their beer appreciation. Recommended by Sylvia Edwards Davis.

L’Hybride Cinema

In this unusual film house, movie watchers grab a beer, wine, or a sandwich from the bar at the back of the huge projection room and then pick a spot on one of the comfy sofas. The screenings can include anything from dance, painting, music or theatre, shorts, animated films from all over the world and cult films. There is a symbolic €1 ($1.07) ‘membership’ and a €4 ($4.28) admission. Recommended by Sylvia Edwards Davis.

Mademoiselle Biloba

There’s a place that is gaining a loyal following in Lille with natural and organic makeup and beauty products. At Mademoiselle Biloba, guests acquire a love for natural ingredients in short workshops that teach how to make high-quality products that range from organic soap to a customised eyeshadow or a base that matches one’s skin tone perfectly. Get tonnes of bonus tips and beauty secrets as well. Recommended by Sylvia Edwards Davis.

Eat in an estaminet

The small regional restaurants serving Flemish specialties are called estaminets. Try one of the typical dishes such as carbonade, a beef stew cooked in beer, waterzoï, a poultry or fish dish with a creamy sauce, a steaming bowl of mussels and fries, or potjevleesch, the local terrine in aspic. Recommended by Sylvia Edwards Davis.

Sample the local tipple

Lille has a long brewing tradition, but another typical local drink is genièvre, an eau de vie distilled from grains and flavoured with juniper berries usually served as a digestif to finish off a meal. Recommended by Sylvia Edwards Davis.

Le Prato

Located in a former textile mill at the center of Moulins, Lille, Le Prato is not just a group of entertainers but a social movement in its own right. Explore laughter, poetry and the circus arts with performers that have been mastering the trade of theater for years. Whether it is outdoors or indoors at their historic venue, audiences are guaranteed quality entertainment and fun! Recommended by Kalpana Satish.

About the author

Sylvia is a well-travelled journalist based in France focusing on business, travel, and culture.

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