Lille

Travel Guide

Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Michel Angot
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Corey Littlefair
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Pierre Torset
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Eric Larrayadieu
Photo provided by © ATOUT FRANCE/Eric Larrayadieu

Experience the Flemish flair in the “Capitale des Flandres,” a sprawling city with an attractive Old Town, traditional markets, stately art museums and a citadel.

Lille is an architecturally superb city no longer seen as just an industrial metropolis. Retaining the convenience of a commercial hub, today one of France’s largest metropolitan areas highlights its heritage roots and breathtaking Flemish streetscape. Wander through the old city’s streets for a stunning display of heritage buildings, which house a collection of museums, galleries, hotels and restaurants. Try regional cuisine and enjoy the city’s nightlife, energized by the large student community.

Stroll along Le Vieux Lille’s historic city streets and investigate Flemish-influenced buildings tracing the city’s former Spanish Netherlands reign. Wander the stone-paved streets and notice brown-and-red brick façades and golden sandstone buildings. A notable example is the Palais des Beaux-Arts, a gorgeous museum filled with works by Goya, Rembrandt and Rubens within one of France’s largest art collections. See a contemporary collection of artworks at the Lille Métropole(LaM).

With a city heritage closely tied to the textiles industry, Lille is a fantastic place for shopping. Check out large retailers and forward-thinking new designers. La Grande Braderie is an eagerly awaited flea market that attracts thousands to the Old Town’s pedestrianized streets in the first weekend of September. Find year-round market action in the bustling Marché de Wazemmes. Pick up useful items ranging from fresh produce to furniture and electronics.

Visit Lille’s beautifully maintained botanical gardens, including a medicinal garden and a garden dating back to the 16th century. Lille’s largest public park and its compact zoo sit astride the massive fortress walls of the 17th-century Citadel.

Relax with a cup of coffee at one of Lille’s traditional terrace cafés. Sample Lilloise cuisine, including beer-stewed beef, or a more traditional Belgian meal of mussels and chips.

Lille is easy to reach by flights to the city’s international airport. It is located within a convenient railway triangle that links Paris, London and Brussels. Instead of passing through, disembark at Lille to experience the charms of this dynamic city in France’s far north.

Where to stay in Lille

Lille Centre Ville showing street scenes, a sunset and a city

Lille Centre Ville

4/5(16 area reviews)

Art galleries, museums, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Lille Centre Ville. Make a stop by Porte de Paris or Le Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Mairie de Lille Station or Rihour Station to get around town.

Lille Centre Ville
Old Lille which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a city

Old Lille

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Shopping, historic sites, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about Old Lille. Check out Lille Cathedral or Le Musée de la Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle while you're exploring the area.

Old Lille
Historic Center showing a city

Historic Center

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

Travelers choose Historic Center for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Rihour Station or Republique Beaux Arts Station and check out top sights like Rihour Square.

Historic Center
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Le Marais

While there might not be top attractions in Le Marais, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille.

Le Marais
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Lomme

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Lomme. Top attractions like Lomme Urban Park and Planet Bowling are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bourg Station or Maison des Enfants Station to see more of the city.

Lomme
Citadel of Lille which includes a river or creek, a park and fall colors

Vauban Esquermes

The bars and zoo are just a few things visitors like about Vauban Esquermes. Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Port de Lille Station or Cormontaigne Station to get around the larger area.

Vauban Esquermes
Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

4 out of 5
Boulevard De Turin, Lille, Nord
$97 nightly
The price is $113 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$113 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (987 reviews)
Great spacious room for a great price
"Great room. Very spacious. The bed for my kid was made up nicely. Two showers."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe
Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

4 out of 5
2 Boulevard Carnot, Lille, Nord
$103 nightly
The price is $119 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$119 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (745 reviews)
"Excellent hotel in excellent location."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre

OKKO Hotels Lille Centre

4 out of 5
13 rue d'Amiens, Lille
$98 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$114 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (522 reviews)
"We really appreciated the early check-in and the service throughout was excellent. We also really enjoyed breakfast which had lots of options. We are looking forward to staying at their Paris branch again next month."

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025

OKKO Hotels Lille Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe

2 out of 5
271 Avenue Willy Brandt, Lille
Stay at this aparthotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Pierre Mauroy Stadium and L'Aeronef are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,119 reviews)
"Conveniently located near mall and transit. No AC unfortunately."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est

The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est

3 out of 5
161 Av. le Notre, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Nord
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (145 reviews)
Renard
"Très bien propre et confortable"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est
Citadines City Centre Lille

Citadines City Centre Lille

3 out of 5
Avenue Willy Brandt - Euralille, Lille, Nord
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (832 reviews)
"Awesome location between train station and the main part of town. Could walk anywhere from the location. Spacious rooms were great. Coffee machine was a bonus. They were doing some maintenance which meant some waiting at the lifts. They weren’t keen to change towels and rooms weren’t cleaned due ..."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Citadines City Centre Lille
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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