18 Amazing Things to Do in Lille, Northern France’s Flemish City
Located right on the border of Belgium, Lille is practically overflowing with Flemish influence. This is most evident in Lille’s distinctive architecture – builldings are colorful, ornate, and often decorated with intricate facades. It is stunning!
Despite being one of the top ten largest cities in France, Lille often flies under the radar for international travelers—especially Americans. Though it’s less famous than cities like Paris or Nice, Lille offers plenty to discover for peoplee wanting to visit more off the beaten path French cities.
From its charming Old Town with cobblestone streets and grand squares to its fascinating historic landmarks and charming belfries, there’s plenty of see and do in this charming Flemish city. Let’s discuss!
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18 Amazing Things to Do in Lille
1. Grand’Place
Grand’Place is the heart of Lille and one of its most stunning locations, renowned for its intricate facades, vibrant colors, and ornate buildings.
The square’s architecture reflects Lille’s historical wealth and prestige and is done in a style typical of parts of Belgium and the Netherlands, adding to its unique charm.
Officially renamed Place Charles de Gaulle in 1944 after the famous French leader (who was born in Lille), this square has been the city’s main gathering place for centuries. Originally built in the Middle Ages as a grain market, it later evolved into a main hub for trade and social activity.
At the center of the square stands the Column of the Goddess, a monument built in 1845 to commemorate Lille’s resistance to Austrian soldiers during the siege of 1792. The statue on top depicts a woman holding a bottle of fire, symbolizing the city’s resilience.
Surrounding the square, you’ll find some of Lille’s most notable buildings, including the Théâtre du Nord, the Furet du Nord (one of Europe’s largest bookstores), and the historic Stock Exchange.
2. Furet du Nord
Furet du Nord is one of the largest bookstores in Europe, spanning an impressive 6,000 square meters over seven levels on its location at the Grand’Place.
Beyond books, you’ll find a wide variety of items, including crafts, stationery, games, and toys, making it a great spot for browsing or picking up unique souvenirs (we picked up a cute French puzzle for our daughter here).
One fun little spot in the bookstore is the view from the top level, where windows offer a birds eye view of the Grand’Place and the Chamber of Commerce belltower.
3. La Vieille Bourse
La Vieille Bourse, or the Old Stock Exchange, is one of Lille’s most beautiful and iconic buildings. Built in 1653, this ornate red-and-gold structure consists of a courtyard surrounded by 24 intricately designed houses and originally was a trading hub for merchants.
In 1921, it was designated a historical monument, cementing its status as a key piece of Lille’s architectural heritage.
Today, the courtyard hosts a charming book market, where vendors sell new and used books, comic books, posters, and antique newspapers. The stalls are mostly set up under the building’s decorated eaves, creating a magical atmosphere for book and architecture lovers.
As a lover of both reading and beautiful buildings, this market was like heaven for me!
4. Place du Theatre
Just a block northeast of Grand’Place, Place du Théâtre is another can’t-miss square in Lille, full of colorful, ornate, grandiose buildings in traditional Flemish style.
The square used to be part of Grand’Place until the Vieille Bourse was built, splitting the two into separate spaces. Today, it’s the second most important square in the city and just as beautiful.
The Chamber of Commerce building, with its striking bell tower, dominates the square. Right next to it, the Lille Opera House is another elegant building to admire in the city.
5. Palais de Beaux-Arts
The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille is one of the largest fine arts museums in France, housed in a grand and ornate 18th-century palace. The building itself is gorgeous, with its grand stone facade and beautiful interior details like original stonework and a domed ceiling.
Inside, the museum features a variety of collections. We really enjoyed the relief maps of local towns and villages – a “unique” way to explore the Hauts-de-France region.
There’s also a large sculpture gallery—a personal favorite of mine—along with a section displaying porcelain china.
Upstairs, you’ll find Impressionist paintings, including a small exhibition of Monet paintings.
6. Beffroi de l’Hotel de Ville
The Beffroi de l’Hôtel de Ville is the clock tower of Lille’s City Hall and a stunning example of Flemish architecture. Standing at an impressive 104 meters (340 feet), it’s one of the tallest structures in the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the 32 Belfries of Belgium and France.
You can take an elevator most of the way up, followed by a short climb, to enjoy incredible panoramic views over Lille.
From the top, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the Old Town, with its charming rooftops and iconic landmarks like the belltower of the Chamber of Commerce clearly visible—a fun and unique way to see the city from above.
- Hours: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5:30pm Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday
- Cost: €7.50
7. Porte de Paris
The Porte de Paris, located just across from the Hôtel de Ville belltower, is an impressive triumphal arch built in the late 1600s. This grand gate was constructed to celebrate King Louis XIV’s conquest of Lille in 1667.
The intricate sculptures and ornate embellishments on the gate are a tribute to the power and authority of Louis XIV, also known as the “Sun King.” As one of France’s most influential monarchs, he is remembered for consolidating power in the monarchy,
8. Notre Dame de la Treille
Notre Dame de la Treille, Lille’s main cathedral, is a fascinating blend of history and modernity. Constructed in Gothic-Revival style, the interior is very traditionally Gothic, with towering stained glass windows and intricate mosaics.
Yet, the strikingly modern facade creates a surprising contrast that sets it apart from other cathedrals in France.
The cathedral was designed to replace another church that was destroyed during the French Revolution. Construction on Notre Dame de la Trielle took nearly 150 years to complete and was only completed in 1999!
9. Eglise Saint Maurice
While Notre Dame de la Treille is the most famous and biggest cathedral in Lille, I actually liked Eglise Saint Maurice more.
It had a much more traditional and grandiose feel, with a large spire coming up from the church and a lovely nave, arched passageways, and stained glass windows inside.
The view of the church spire standing grandly above the streets as you approach it on Rue Pierre Mauroy can’t be missed!
10. Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle, the renowned French resistance leader during World War II and the first President of the Fifth Republic, was born in Lille in 1890. His birthplace, Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle, was his grandparents’ home and served as his childhood residence.
The house-turned-museum offers a fascinating tour of the historic rooms, showcasing bourgeois architecture and life during Lille’s Belle Époque era.
You can explore the beautifully preserved dining room, study, bedrooms, kitchen, and greenhouse, each offering a look into the lifestyle of a prominent family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
With Charles de Gaulle’s legacy celebrated across France—from streets and squares named after him to significant historical landmarks—this house gives a personal connection to one of France’s most iconic figures.
11. Citadel Park
Citadel Park is a large, popular green space that surrounds Lille’s historic, star-shaped citadel fortress which is encircled by a moat. Though the fortress is still an active military base and not open to the public, the park is a popular spot for locals and visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The park offers a variety of attractions, including a small amusement park with kiddie rides, a free zoo, and several monuments scattered throughout the grounds.
There are also cafes where you can grab a snack and a spot to rent electric boats for a peaceful cruise along the river.
Don’t miss the Voie des Combattants, a scenic pathway that runs next to the moat and close to the citadel, with occasional glimpses of the fortress. This trail is especially popular with runners and bikers and has a very natural, relaxed feel.
If you want to get out on the water, Marin d’Eau Douce offers boat rentals starting at €45 for an hour. You don’t need a permit to operate the boat, and you can enjoy a 20-kilometer round-trip route along the river, surrounded by picturesque scenery.
12. Hospice Comtesse Museum
The Hospice Comtesse Museum is an interesting look into the history of a hospital founded in 1237 by Countess Jeanne of Flanders.
Originally known as the Notre Dame Hospital, it was established to care for villagers and pilgrims. After the French Revolution, the hospital became a public institution, and today it stands as a national historic monument.
The museum takes you through various rooms that showcase the workings of the hospital, including the apothecary room, where shelves are lined with the medicines once used.
You can explore the chapel, the kitchen, and the gathering rooms, each offering a look at life and care in the medieval era. In the back, there’s a charming medicinal garden filled with plants once used to treat patients.
13. La Piscine
La Piscine is a unique and beautiful museum housed in a historic swimming pool. The museum’s main gallery features a long, narrow basin of water surrounded by statues – the combination of the art and water makes an incredibly aesthetic atmosphere.
In addition to the main gallery, there are several smaller rooms showcasing paintings, sculptures, textiles, coins, and exhibits about the region’s industries. You can also walk along the upper-level terrace to get a bird’s-eye view of the pool and admire the museum’s layout from above.
While the museum isn’t large—you’ll probably spend around 30-45 minutes here—it’s a truly lovely experience.
La Piscine is located about 30 minutes outside Lille’s city center by metro but it’s easy to get to – just take Metro Line 2 from the Lille Flandres station to the Roubaix Grand Place station.
14. Explore Lille’s Charming Streets
Wandering the charming streets is one of the best things to do in any French city, and Lille is no exception. You really can’t go wrong with any of the streets in the historic city center, but these are a few favorites.
Passage des Arts, Rue de la Clef, Rue de la Monnaie, and Rue des Vieux Murs are some of the most picturesque streets, with cobblestones, beautiful facades, and a mix of boutiques and cafes to enjoy along the way.
For a slightly different vibe, Rue de Béthune is a wider, grander pedestrian street lined with name-brand stores and a few cafes.
15. Porte du Robaix
Porte de Roubaix is a historic city gate that was originally constructed in 1621 as part of Lille’s 17th-century fortifications served as an entrance to the walled city.
While its western side is relatively simple, the eastern facade is much grander and offers the best view of the structure and the old tram line running through it.
A charming feature of the gate is the small promenade along the top, where you can walk across the wall and take in the surroundings.
16. Marché de Wazemmes
The Marché de Wazemmes is Lille’s largest market and bustling, energetic place to shop and eat. Housed in a beautiful, large covered hall, the market offers a wide variety of goods, from fresh produce, cheese, meat, and fish to flowers, household items, and foodstuffs from around the world.
On market days, you’ll also find many stands selling hot dishes, making it a great spot to grab a meal on the go while taking in the atmosphere. The market is open every day except Monday.
17. Try Local Desserts
Lille is home to two iconic spots for indulging in local desserts: Meert and Aux Merveilleux de Fred.
Meert, a historic Lille institution, is most famous for its signature waffles. These waffles are similar to stroopwafels but slightly smaller, with unique flavor fillings sandwiched in the middle. Beyond the treats, the boutique itself is absolutely beautiful, with elegant decor that makes stepping inside a special experience.
At Aux Merveilleux de Fred, you’ll find the light and airy merveilleux, a beloved French treat originating in Northern France. It’s made of delicate meringue layered with whipped cream and coated in flavored chocolate shavings – as beautiful as they are delicious.
We also got one of their brioche here and it was a really fantastic brioche – highly recommend.
18. Lille Christmas Market
If you’re visiting Lille in late November or December, you’ll have the great pleasure of experiencing the Lille Christmas Market—one of the most popular in France.
The market village, with stalls selling gifts, food, and drinks, is set up in Place Rihour, just next to Grand’Place. Grand’Place itself hosts a massive Ferris wheel, Christmas tree, and festive decorations, while Place du Theatre features a few smaller rides and additional holiday decor.
Many of the city streets are decked out with lights and garlands, and the backdrop of Lille’s beautiful architecture makes this a wonderful place to experience during Christmastime.
Map of Attractions in Lille
How Many Days Do You Need in Lille
I’d recommend spending 1-2 days in Lille. With one day, you can do many, but not all, the things on this list. With 2 days you have plenty of time to explore all the attractions and soak up the vibes of the city.
Wrap Up
Lille is an oft overlooked French city, but one that you are sure to enjoy. The unique feel of Flemish culture in food and architecture makes unlike any other city in France. And because you only need a day or two in Lille, its easy to incorporate into your Nothern France itinerary!
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