City trip to Lille: tips for a first visit

Lille is a compact city that lends itself well to a weekend getaway. In just two days, you can see a lot of the city center and experience its atmosphere. Most of the sights are within walking distance of each other. My first visit has certainly left me wanting more. Below you will find my tips and the places I visited.

Place du Général-de-Gaulle is the central square of Lille and a logical starting point for your city trip. The square forms the heart of the city and is surrounded by historic buildings with colorful facades. The Flemish influences are immediately noticeable here, making it feel less like a typical French city.

The square features various statues and monuments commemorating the history of Lille. It is also a gathering place, meaning there is almost always something to see. From here, you can easily head in different directions. Many sights are within short walking distance, making it easy to plan your route further.

De Old Stock Exchange It is one of the most striking buildings on Place du Général-de-Gaulle. The facade, in particular, immediately catches the eye due to its many details and decorations. If you look a little closer, you will see elements of the Flemish Renaissance, such as graceful ornaments, statues, and richly decorated windows. The building was constructed in the 17th century as a stock exchange, where merchants gathered to conduct business.

The Vieille Bourse consists of 24 separate houses that together form a courtyard, surrounded by a gallery. In the courtyard, you will often find a book market with old books, magazines, and posters. People walk around here to browse through the offerings and take a look around. In bad weather, the books are covered, making it less appealing to look around. On dry days, however, this is a nice place to browse.

Old Lille It is the old city center and one of the most atmospheric places to walk around. Here you can clearly see how Lille originated, with narrow streets, cobblestone roads, and facades in soft colors. The architecture here also shows clear Flemish influences and has been well preserved over the years. You will find a mix of small shops, boutiques, and restaurants and cafes.

Wander through the streets and occasionally duck into a side street, because that is how you discover places you would otherwise miss. Think of streets like Rue de Gand, where you find various restaurants and estaminets. Also places like Quai du Wault, Along the water, they offer a different perspective of Lille. Here you have a view over the water, and it is a pleasant place to take a walk or sit for a while. Moreover, Vieux Lille is very photogenic, making you easily find yourself lingering here a bit longer.

In Lille, there are two bell towers that you can climb. The towers formerly served as watchtowers, storage places for important documents, and as a place where bells set the rhythm of the city, among other things.

The most famous is the belfry of the town halls, which, with its height of 104 meters, towers high above the city. This tower was built in Art Deco style and, together with several other belfries in the region, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb the tower for a view of Lille and the surrounding area. Inside, you have the choice between the stairs, with about 415 steps, or an elevator.

It stands on Place du Théâtre belfry of the Chamber of Commerce. This tower is shorter, but it is situated in a central location and is part of an impressive Flemish-style building. This tower can also be climbed, although you must book in advance. Without a reservation, you often won't get in. I was too late to book myself and was therefore unable to visit the tower.

You don't actually need a plan to discover Lille. Wander through the center and dive into the various little streets. The center is compact, making it easy to explore on foot. You will naturally stumble upon places you would otherwise quickly walk past. If you pay close attention, you might even discover some nice street art.

In the center, you pass small squares, distinctive facades, and shops that don't immediately stand out from the main streets. By occasionally turning into a side street, you discover something new every time. The center lends itself well to this and makes it easy to walk around at your own pace. You're also in the right place for those looking to shop, with a mix of well-known chains and smaller boutiques. Prefer indoor shopping? Then you can visit Westfield Euralille, close to the stations.

In Lille, you never have to search long for a good coffee shop or patisserie. Scattered throughout the city center, you will find many coffee bars and patisseries, often within a short distance of each other. The selection is so extensive that you can easily make multiple stops here.

I drank coffee myself at Tamper! en Elizabeth's, Two nice places where you can also go for something sweet. Lille is known for its patisseries and sweets, which you come across in many places throughout the city. The local waffles, in particular, stand out. These so-called Lilloises four waffles They are thin and filled with a soft vanilla cream, often made with vanilla from Madagascar.

You can taste the waffles at, among others Méert, One of the city's most famous addresses. This patisserie has been making waffles since the 18th century and has really put them on the map. Also at Wonderful to Fred you will find all kinds of sweet specialties.

When you think of France, you often think of wine or champagne, but in Lille, beer actually plays a major role. The city is located in the north of France, close to Belgium, and this is reflected in the beer culture. It has been present here for centuries and is clearly intertwined with the history of the region.

Lille was part of Flanders for a long time and was therefore strongly influenced by Belgian beer traditions. That influence is still visible. In and around the city, you will find various breweries and microbreweries, as well as many pubs where craft beer takes center stage. The selection is wide, ranging from light and refreshing beers to heavier and more distinctive varieties. My personal favorite pubs are Beerchope, Beer Square, hôpi, and Brasserie du Singe Savant.

For beer lovers, Lille is therefore an interesting destination. You don't have to look far to find a good pub or a special local beer.

With The Beer Escape You can discover Lille in a different way. They organize various tours centered on beer, from short tastings to full-day programs. I opted for the 'Beer Day in Lille', a full-day tour that combines the city and the beer culture.

The day begins with an extensive lunch at a microbrewery, including local dishes and a tasting board with various beers. Afterwards, you visit a brewery in the city, where you receive an explanation of the brewing process and taste several beers.

The final part is the 'treasure hunt', where you head into the city to complete tasks. You find your way through Lille using a description. Along the way, you visit various beer pubs and sample local beers. You are not allowed to see which beer is being poured, meaning you really have to rely on your own taste and knowledge. At the same time, you have to look around carefully to collect points. We ultimately finished with 93 out of 100 points.

Just outside the center lies the Citadel of Lille. The citadel itself cannot be visited, as it is still in use by the French army. However, you can walk around the citadel, and that is certainly worthwhile.

Surrounding the citadel is a large green area where many locals come to walk, run, or simply enjoy the outdoors. It immediately feels different here compared to the city center. The surroundings are spacious and park-like, with wide paths and plenty of greenery. If you pay close attention, you can even spot kingfishers and parakeets here. It is a pleasant place to find some peace and quiet without being far from the city.

During your walk through the city center, be sure to step inside a church. Two churches you will almost certainly come across are the Église Saint-Maurice and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille.

De St. Maurice Church It is located right in the city center and stands out due to its Gothic style and slender form. The church has existed since the 14th century and has been modified several times over the years. Inside, it is light and spacious, with high windows and various chapels.

De Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille It is located in Vieux Lille and has a striking appearance. Construction began in the 19th century but was not completed until the 90s. The modern facade, in particular, stands out and forms a clear contrast with the rest of the building.

Food plays an important role in Lille, and this is reflected on many menus in the city. Here you will find typical dishes from Northern France with clear Flemish influences. Think of stews such as carbonnade flamande, but also specialties like potjevleesch, andouillette, and the famous tarte au maroilles.

You will also frequently come across the Welsh dish. This is a hearty combination of bread, melted cheese, beer, and often ham or egg. Not necessarily light, but certainly something that belongs to the region.

I ate at 3 Brasseurs Lille en Beer belly. Especially at Bierbuik, you can try various local dishes in a modern setting. Tips I got from locals are The Little Table en The Little Court, Two places where you can go for more traditional dishes.

Lille is easily accessible from the Netherlands, making it an ideal destination for a short city break. It is a quick drive by car. From the Dutch border, it takes about an hour and a half to get there. Personally, it took me about two hours from Eindhoven.

Lille is also easily accessible by train. From the Netherlands, you can easily travel via Brussels, for example, to Lille Europe or Lille Flandres, both of which are located close to the city center.

Once in the city, you can do a lot on foot because the center is compact. Additionally, you can rent bicycles, for example via Lime. There is also a metro and tram network that allows you to get around quickly. If you plan to use public transport more frequently and visit sights, the Lille City Pass might be of interest.

Lille offers a wide range of accommodations, from small-scale hotels to larger chains. For a city trip, it is convenient to choose accommodation in or near the center so that you can easily reach everything on foot.

I stayed in myself Moxy Lille City, A modern hotel housed in a former pharmacy university building. The hotel has a hip interior and feels different from a standard hotel. The rooms are spacious and practical, with a nice shower. There is also a fitness center available.

Parking at the hotel is available, but you must reserve it in advance. The city center is about a fifteen-minute walk away, so you can still quickly reach the main attractions in Lille. The breakfast is well-catered for and the staff speaks good English.

Disclaimer: My city trip to Lille was created in collaboration with the Lille Tourism. Everything you read in this article is my personal opinion/experience.