Last Updated on 10th August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Lille is located in northern France just a stone’s throw away from the border with Belgium. A lively city with strong ties to Flemish culture, Lille is fairly small and compact, meaning that all of its major attractions can be seen on foot. Here’s your guide to spending one day in Lille.
The Flemish city is characterised by its unique Flanders style of architecture, many bars serving up strong beers, and smattering of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Lille has a rather chequered history and was under Flemish, Burgundian, and Spanish rule during various periods, before becoming French in 1667.
The best time of the year to visit is between May and October when the weather is at its best, though there is also a Christmas Market held in December if that’s something you’re interested in.
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Getting to Lille
With easy transport links to Paris and the rest of France, it couldn’t be easier to reach Lille. We personally took the fast train between Paris Gare du Nord and Lille-Flandres and the journey time is only an hour.
There are two main train stations in Lille, Lille-Flandres and Lille Europe. Whereas the Flanders branch tends to serve train stations in France, Lille Europe serves destinations further afield and is where the Eurostar departs from.
Is one day enough time in Lille?
Though Lille is one of the largest cities in northern France (and the fourth largest urban city in metropolitan France), all of its major attractions are fairly close together, meaning that everything can be explored on foot.
For the most part, the best things to do in town are centred around the historic city centre and this area can be easily seen over the course of a day. Just be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as there are lots of cobbled lanes and you’ll likely clock up well over 10,000 steps over the course of the day.
Lille is a popular day trip from Paris and also a pretty popular day trip from Brussels. It takes an hour on the train from either city to get to the city centre. There are also train links to further away destinations such as London via Eurostar.
One day in Lille suggested itinerary
Eat a Merveilleux for breakfast
If you’re the type of person who enjoys starting your day with a sweet treat, then you’re in luck: the sweet speciality of Lille is known as Le Merveilleux.
This small cake originated in either Belgium or France (no one is quite sure about its origins) and is a sandwich of two light meringues filled with cream. The best place to get a Merveilleux in Lille is from Aux Merveilleux de Fred.
Climb the belfry
After enjoying breakfast, head to the highest view point in town, at the top of the belfry. Known as the Beffroi de Lille, this 104 metre tall bell tower (though curiously it has no bells) is UNESCO World Heritage listed and was inaugurated in 1932.
The belfry is part of a larger town hall complex, which was completely destroyed during WWI before being reconstructed in the 1930s. The new belfry is constructed in classic Art-Deco and neo-Flemish elements.
Today, visitors can head up around 100 steps before arriving at a reception where you can pay to take the lift (or climb the rest of the stairs) to reach the top of the tower and enjoy a 360 degree view of the city.
The belfry is open from Wednesday through to Sunday. In the mornings, reservation is required, whereas in the afternoon, you can just turn up and wait. Please note that only 18 people are allowed at the top of the tower at any given moment so you could be waiting for up to an hour to visit.
Porte de Paris
Directly beneath the Belfry, you’ll soon spy the Porte de Paris. Much like Paris has its own triumphal arch, so does Lille (indeed, it has several). However, the most impressive of these arches is most certainly the Porte de Paris, which was constructed in the latter half of the 17th-century.
The Porte de Paris is also known as the Porte des Malades (Gate of the Sick) on account of the fact that, when the city walls existed, this was where the city gate that led to a leper colony (maladrerie in French). The Porte de Paris itself was constructed to celebrate the victories of Louis XIV, i.e. the Sun King.
Palais des Beaux Arts
A short distance away, visitors will soon arrive at the Palais des Beaux Arts, a cultural space dedicated to fine arts, modern art, and antiquities. The museum was established in 1809 and today is one of the top places to visit in Lille. Dedicate a couple of hours to discovering this cultural gem.
Grand Place
The most grandiose place in town is Grand Place, also known as La place du Général-de-Gaulle, which boasts plenty of regal buildings constructed in typical Flemish fashion. Highlights of the large square include the 19th-century colonne de la Déesse and great views of the Beffroi de la Chambre de Commerce de Lille.
Book market
One of the best hidden gems of the city that’s tucked away in plain sight is the Old Bourse book market, which is located just off the Grand Place.
The book market is open throughout the year from Tuesday through to Sunday and between 1.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m (and is closed on Mondays).
Throughout the week, the inner courtyard is also home to people playing chess. 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.
Lunch
After a morning filled with exploration, head to one of the many bars, restaurants, or cafés in the city for lunch. Don’t have dessert yet though, as there is an extra special sweet treat for after your main (if you still have room!)
The Lillois speciality dish to try is Le Welsh. But no, it actually has nothing to do with the principality of Wales! This northern French food comprises of brown bread soaked in beer flavoured with mustard and topped with melted cheese and slices of ham.
Served with a side of fries and salad, the entire meal is typically washed down with a local beer. One of the top rated places to enjoy this dish is Estaminet Du Welsh, though you can find this cuisine pretty much all over the city.
Patisserie Méert
If you still have room for dessert after lunch, be sure to head to Patisserie Méert, which is located in the Old Town and boasts the status of being the oldest patisserie shop in town. Founded in 1761, there is a café within the establishment or alternatively you can pick up their sweet treats to take away.
Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral
The modern and not entirely aesthetically pleasing main church in town is the Notre Dame de Treille, an ecclesiastical building with a rather complex history. Groundbreaking for the cathedral was initiated in 1854, though the church wasn’t completed until 1999.
You see, the church ran out of funds part way through construction and so had to be built in stages. The resulting structure is a unique blend of architectural styles, melded together with an über modern façade. The cathedral is free to visit and one particular highlight is a rose window depicting astronauts and UFOs.
Place aux Oignons
Just a short walk away from the cathedral is the Place aux Oignons, which is undoubtedly the most attractive square in Lille. Situated close to the old castle mound, the pretty Place boasts a handful of bars where you can enjoy a local beer while watching the world go by.
Free time in Lille
After heading to Place aux Oignons, there are a few ways you can spend the next few hours. If you want to see even more of the city but are tired of walking, then consider booking a bus tour like this one. For those who want a more private experience, consider booking a driving tour like this one.
Enjoy a beer
Before finishing your day trip or look for a venue to enjoy dinner, I suggest sampling one of the local Flemish beers at one of the many bars in Lille. Just be warned- the alcohol percentage is likely to be much higher than the strength of the beers that you’re used to so be sure to drink with caution!
Dinner in Lille
Whether you want to enjoy local cuisine or have dietary preferences, the size of Lille means that there’s something for almost everyone in the city centre. Some of the best vegetarian restaurants in town include Itsy Bitsy and Annie’s Kitchen.
During our time in Lille, we actually opted to visit one of the Big Mamma restaurants. The chain began in Paris but has since spread to further afield cities, including Lille. The eatery is Lille is called La Bellezza Big Mamma and I loved my truffle pasta. Just be sure to reserve a table in advance as this place is very popular!
Where to stay in Lille
Thanks to its status as one of the largest Metropolitan areas in France, Lille has no shortage of places to stay to suit almost any budget. Here are some of the best places to stay in the city based on location and web-reviews:
Gastama: Though a little bit out of the historic city centre, one of the best reviewed hostels in Lille is Gastama. Highlights of this budget place to stay include dorm rooms or private rooms, free Wi-Fi and a bar onsite.
OKKO Hotels Lille Centre: A mid-priced accommodation that is particularly well-reviewed is OKKO Hotels Lille Centre. Amenities include room service, breakfast for an extra charge, and baggage storage. Check prices and availability here.
L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection: When it comes to the crème de la crème of Lille accommodation, one of the most luxurious places to stay is the five-star L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection. Check prices and availability here.
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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.