Items for sale include used books, old records, vintage furniture, antique silverware and dinnerware, and second-hand clothing, jewelry, artisan crafts, and artwork. Go on a walking tour and see everything first hand. 1. It was built in honor of the general who was a native of Lille. The museum occasionally hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. To find the market, enter the Vieille Bourse at the Place du Thtre/Grand Place. If you plan on visiting a lot of tourist attractions in Lille and using public transportation while you're there, have a look at the Lille City Pass. (44 rue de la Halle) This somewhat intimate restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner. Since trains produce significantly less CO2 than planes, taking the train is a Responsible Travel Choice. de la Rpublique, 59000 Lille, FranceVisit Website|Save on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor*. Your email address will not be published. If you go to Lille and want to stay at a hotel, the following three cater to different budgets and styles but are all located in the city center and get great reviews. Also found on the Place du Gnral de Gaulle is the Grande-Garde, former housing for sentry guard soldiers. You will be moved to see the 10,000 crosses and thankful to the soldiers who came from the other side of the world to fight with us for ideas of liberty and against the nazi dictatorship that threatened Europe. A tour of any European city isn't complete without a visit to a church. Lille Tourism Lille Hotels Lille Guest House Lille Holiday Homes Lille Holiday Packages Lille Flights L'orange Bleue; 10 Lillenium. Lille, the so-called capital of French Flanders, is one of the best places to visit in Northern France. Lille has retained much of its historical role as a trade center with its fairs, markets, and an impressively sophisticated collection of brand names and trendy boutiques. When visiting Lille, the most enjoyable things to do include wandering the cobblestone pedestrian streets of Vieux Lille (the old town), stopping at cozy cafs, and discovering its many tourist attractions. Discover 10 of the best things to do in Lille, France. Thanks girl, appreciate it :), The Old Town is really quaint and even a bit further out its a charming city :). Lille has two train stations: Lille Flandres Train Station and Lille Europe Train Station. Also known as the Fine Arts Museum of Lille, this is an impressive building to see. In the middle of the square, the bronze Goddess monument (La Desse) commemorates Lille's resistance to the Austrian siege of September 1792. Regretfully, the tower is not suitable for those with limited mobility. Built in 1675, this church boasts an attractive Baroque design and an impressive 50-meter high dome; the faade dates from 1884. The buildings are arranged around two courtyards and a garden where medicinal plants were grown. When you are around, and youve got time on your hands, take time to explore the city, and you will be amazed at what to discover. Most tourists prefer to stay in the historic center of the city, known as Vieux Lille. The galleries of the Vieille Bourse courtyard host the March de Bouquinistes (Booksellers' Market), held year-round (Tuesday through Friday from 1pm until 7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 7pm). Because of the easy connection and short travel time, London, Brussels, and Paris all make great day trips from Lille by train. Whilst youre in the area, you might like to grab a breather in Parc du Hron, an enormous green space just to the south of the museum. du Muse, 59650 Villeneuve-dAscq, FranceVisit Website|Save on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor*. Of the three, Sunday is far the most vibrant and colourful, when there are hundreds of stalls and thousands of people show up to browse and buy. The name Lille evolved from L'le, meaning island. Address: 9 Rue Princess, Lille (Take Bus 14 or 50 to Les Bateliers stop). Galleries of art on three floors display a wide variety of artworks. At the heart of the square is the Colonne de la Desse, put up in the 19th century to honour the citys part in repelling the Habsburg Empire in the Siege of Lille in 1792. Highlights of the collection include works by famous artists such as Braque, Kandinsky, Klee, Mir, Modigliani, and Picasso. Jean Lebas (on the way, youll pass the tourist office). We really liked how chilled out the city felt and we liked that there was a good mix of grand buildings and grittier, characterful neighbourhoods. TravelDos and DontsAs a Tourist in France, Gordes Travel Guide: Tips for Visiting Gordes, First Time in France: Best 7-day Itinerary, Barge Cruises in France: Why You Should Take One, Why You Should do the Beer Tasting Treasure Hunt in Lille, 10 Healthy Living Tips To Adopt From The French, 9 Activities to Try on Your Next Holiday to France, 6 Great Ways To Keep Entertained On a Long Flight. I hope the above gave you a better idea of what to do in Lille, France. Spending 2 days in Lille is well worth the trip. Savvy travellers know that Lille has a . The square in front is also where Lilles first-rate Christmas Market takes place in December, and where you could come to taste Lilles cuisine. The buildings feature harmonious classical lines and decorative sculptural details such as cartouches, scrolls, cornucopias, and angels. Find out more about Queen Christine*, Our choice in the city centre would have to be Mama Shelter*, which is located close to Lille Europe station. The Opera of Lille is located on the Place du Thtre. Eglise Saint-Maurice. If you fancy it in summer you can watch dance demonstrations in this marvellous space. The speed of the project is all the more amazing when you see the quantity of material needed for its construction: Three million stone blocks, 70,000 lumps of sandstone and 60 million bricks. Self-guided Tours from $9.98 per adult Lille City Sightseeing Tour 45 Bus Tours from $17.77 per adult SPECIAL OFFER Urban escape game in Lille - Crazytopia 1 Self-guided Tours from $43.07 $21.53 per group (up to 6) Food Tour and Beer and Spirits Tastings with Audio Guide Bus Tours from $42.01 per adult Strolling around the city is similar to gazing through an optical-toy-in-a-tube style. L'Esplanade Lille is set in the historic centre of Lille in front of the Citadel of Lille and a 14-minute walk from Lille Grand Place. This button displays the currently selected search type. The Porte de Paris with the Belfry in the background. It's really easy to explore the city on foot and by the well integrated public transport network. The atmospheric tourist office (6) is located in a surviving fragment of a late Gothic . The source of the artworks on display couldn't be more prestigious. The beautiful streets, the cheese shops, the hearty food. Colleville-sur-Mer - France. Continental breakfast in included in the price, though the only vegan option was fresh bread and homemade jams (which were all wonderful). The Lille Mtropole Muse d'Art Moderne, d'Art Contemporain, et d'Art Brut, which also goes by the acronym LaM, has one of the most comprehensive collections of modern (20th-century) and contemporary (21st-century) art in France. Given its size, the Palais des Beaux-Arts is usually regarded as the Second Museum of France after the Louvre in Paris. By all accounts, this fine art museum is meant to be superb and one of the best places to visit in Lille. For more than 250 years, this specialty has been the delight of Kings, queens, and residents. The surrounding area offers lots of decent food options, particularly world cuisine, though not too many obvious vegan options unfortunately. Official site: http://www.louvrelens.fr/en/home. Renowned for its size and quality, this prestigious art collection is housed in an impressive building with a spacious and bright atrium. They offer super flexible plans that you can even sign up for while you're already on your trip. This 15th-century Gothic church boasts an exceptional painting, the Martyrdom of Saint Catherine by Rubens, in the north aisle. Within France, the peaceful countryside and historic attractions of the Champagne region are easily accessible from Lille in less than two hours by train or car. The Lille Citadel is located in the center of a big park park, but can't be visited. For a snapshot of everyday life in Lille, Marche de Wazemmes provides beautifully. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the home to view a collection of family mementos and other personal items including Charles de Gaulle's cradle, his christening robe, and a Saint-Cyr sword from his youth. Ticket available online: Town Hall Belfry Entry Ticket. Place Louise de Bettignies and Rue de la Monnaie are the best places to start a stroll, and youll spend most of the walk looking up at the decorative facades and gables, so be careful not to bump into anyone! These are not your regular waffles, they are paper-thin sandwich stuffed with a fluffy vanilla cream. Specialties are the salmon en papillote, lasagna, and homemade pastries such as lemon tart and chocolate cake. Since trains produce significantly less CO, These Travel Companies Have Declared a Climate Emergency, 27 Ultimate Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Travel Products. Can we find a budget friendly accommodation easily? Nord-Pas de Calais. The amusement park for kids in Lille, near the Citadel and the zoo. On Rue Pincesse, in a leafy neighbourhood north of Old Lille, is the house where Charles de Gaulle was born on November 22 1890. Vieille Bourse | OTC Lille To sample local beers That is so cool! Youll note a Maghreb accent at Wazemmes, in the spices and exotic fruits and vegetables used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. Visit the Vieille Bourse of Lille in the summer and you'll discover people dancing Tango every Sunday evening from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. I had a lovely quiche and, if I recall correctly, my dad had steak. PLACES TO SEE. They compare fares from multiple airlines and travel agents all at once and they make finding more eco-friendly operators very easy. 7. Much of the city centre has been partially pedestrianised. From grand cities like Lille, the capital of the region to tiny historic little towns and villages. However, the city is best known for its vibrant market scenes. Great post girl! Photos really dont do any justice to how beautiful it is in real life. Lille-Lesquin International Airport is only 10 km away from Lille's city center and 20 minutes by airport shuttle. This really is one of the best things to do in Lille. It's a great city for architecture lovers as it contains a very different style to that of any other French city. Address:Pl. Lille is an architectural feast with strong Flemish influences from the Grand Place to the basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille to the quiet streets of row houses and gardens. Skip the typical group tour and discover Lille's history and hidden corners on a self-guided mobile scavenger hunt. Travel insurance has you covered in case (part of) your trip gets canceled, you get sick or hurt abroad and even when your electronics break or get stolen. Traditional Lille dishes are filling and hearty, like potjevleesch or carbonnade, and the excellent cheeses and local beers are some of the specialties that the city offers to lovers of food. Lilles expansive main square is the place where locals and tourists converge to meet up or see the sights. See all Unique Tour of Lille by Convertible 2CV - 1h00 225 Bus Tours from 4,070.81 per adult (price varies by group size) 2 Hours Paris Private Tour in Vintage French Car 9 Bus Tours from 24,334.40 per group (up to 4) I've been using their daily passes not just when I travel outside the EU (no roaming charges for me in the EU) but also as a backup for when I think I'll go over my phone's data plan. Hello, Im french but not from Lille and I think your article is very interesting. A modern city with a historical core, there's no shortage of things to do in Lille. Ibis Styles Lille Centre Grand Place: Great and cheerful budget hotel - See 776 traveller reviews, 141 candid photos, and great deals for Ibis Styles Lille Centre Grand Place at Tripadvisor. Or you can keep going up by foot, you'll have 300 more stairs to climb. The pretty city of Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region and is a fun weekend break for families. The capital of the northern Hauts-de-France region, Lille has a reputation as a hard-working industrial city, and has a fabulous historical centre. Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. So maybe it's best to go a bit early or later if you want to be sure to snatch a spot. 4 top towns you shouldn't miss in Hauts de France. Being the fourth-largest urban area in the country, Lille might just top the list of the most underrated French city. Simon Vollant, 59000 Lille, FranceVisit Website|Save on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor*. Simon Vollant, 59800 Lille, FranceSave on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor*. On sunny days, it's especially pleasant to sit at the restaurant's shaded outdoor terrace that overlooks a garden. Upstairs the Sacristy, with lovely stained-glass windows, and the Salle du Conclave are venues for exhibitions and public events. Find your next adventure in lille. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Galleries are bright and minimalist and full of paintings, sculptures, photography and electronic media. There are plenty of underground parking lots near the Old Town, so we just searched for one on Google Maps before leaving and entered that address in the GPS. Like opera houses all around the world, it's one of those typical landmarks listed as one of the things to see in Lille in guidebooks. Taking public transport is a Responsible Travel Choice, as sharing your journey with others is much better for the environment than taking journeys by car. It includes: The city pass is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Unique in architectural style, the faade creates a striking impression and brightens the sanctuary. Do make sure you browse the stalls for treasures. New galleries have been constructed to house some of the exhibits, but the headline really is the former pool house. The Lille City Pass will give you free access to this attraction. Address:Pl. The zoo is pretty compact, but has 450 animals from 70-odd species and takes part in international conservation programs for endangered species. With its tower on the faade, the building is an example of an "Hallekerque" (barn-like church), a type of structure adapted to the fragile, marshy soil of Flanders. Mallet-Stevens was a proponent of the modernist school and the building is a physical manifesto constructed with guidelines demanding the provision of air, light, work, sports, hygiene, comfort and efficiency. Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. The city of Lille, for a long time, has been attracting visitors from different parts of the world. Get your Lille City Pass! Leave your comments below. A short stroll north of the cathedral is the Eglise Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. We took the Eurostar from London*, through the Channel Tunnel, arriving at Gare de Lille-Europe which is right in the city centre. For those with limited mobility, the city centre is mostly flat, though there are a lot of cobbled streets. Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour. In the fete-ish spirit of the city, romp on the dance floor or hop to join a soup festival. To admire the view, you'll have to climb 109 stairs first, and then take an elevator. The city centre is quite compact and easily explored on foot. An interesting assortment of ceramics by Picasso, Dufy, and Chagall (among others) adorns the area around the pool. Highlights include its enchanting old town with magnificent French and Flemish architecture, renowned art museums, stylish shopping, outstanding cuisine, a nightlife scene bolstered by 67,000 university students, and some 1600 designers in its environs. The lively city of Amiens, in France's Picardy region, is less touristy but worth the trip (about 90 minutes by train or car). Add the fact that Lille is very well connected by railway (including via high speed lines) and its a wonder why it took us so long to visit. Best coffee place Coffee & Vanilla : Best 24/7 coffee place Sunhotel: Tap water . It sure is! There are hundreds of little patisseries selling a large variety of cakes. A world-class fine arts museum, the avant-garde cathedral, and Charles de Gaulle's birthplace are among the highlights. The hotel is skewed towards adults with some rather kinky special offers available on their website. This statue was considered to have miraculous powers and for centuries was venerated by pilgrims from all over Europe. 29 Top Tourist Attractions in France. It now contains Lilles tourist centre in the Salle des Gardes on the ground floor. The arch resides on a quiet roundabout surrounded by residential buildings that have a very strong resemblance to buildings in Paris itself, so for a moment (and from certain angles), you could almost convince yourself you were in Paris. But Jean-Baptiste Lebas Square isn't the only highlight in the area. Discover the must-see sights. Lille is an architectural feast with strong Flemish influences from the Grand Place to the basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille to the quiet streets of row houses and gardens. Come along! Seems like you got to enjoy the city as well :), Lille has a vibrant Argentine tango scene! The star-shaped citadel was built in just three years, and was designed by none other than Vauban, the famed military engineer who left his mark all across France in this time. Lille Tourism Lille Hotels Bed and Breakfast Lille Lille Holiday Rentals Lille Holiday Packages Flights to Lille La Broche; Lille Attractions Lille Travel Forum Find rooms from $27 to $33 at Deffrennes. Compare room types and prices from 8 providers to get the best deal at Deffrennes, Lille. The Flemish houses, the faades around the Grande Place, the vestiges of Spanish rule, Haussman-style, Art Nouveau and Art Dco; there's a focal point of interest at every turn. The city originated on a tiny island in the river Dele. Free entry to more than 30 sites and activities, Free use of Lille's public transport network, Discounts in selected restaurants and shops in Lille, Roubaix, and Tourcoing, Free entry to more than 30 tourist sites and activities in Lille, Free usage of Lille's public transport network (metro, bus, tram). You'll get binoculars to see all the things and an audioguide. Plan a fabulous travel itinerary and discover the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Muse, 59650 Villeneuve-dAscq, FranceVisit Website|Save on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor.... 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