I had fairly average expectations before our last-minute trip to Lille, France. I figured it’d be pretty cute, as most of France is quite charming. I also assumed there would be some Flemish influence, as the city sits near the Belgian border.
Both of those things were true, but higher expectations would have been met, too. Lille snuck up on us. It had a great art scene, stunning architecture, and delicious food that was more than scoops of fries.
I mean, there was definitely some of that, but we also ate very well while in Lille.
If you’re looking for a delightful city escape on your trip to France — or on your way to Belgium — consider spending one day in Lille.
Quick Tips for Your Lille Visit
Your Flight: If you arrive by air, Lille Airport is just 15 minutes from the city center, but you’ll be connecting elsewhere.
It’s more likely you’ll fly into major airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle or Brussels Airport and take a high-speed train from there. Use Skyscanner to explore your options. Love those deals? Subscribe to Going.
Your Accommodations: We stayed outside of Lille due to a last-minute booking, but it’s more efficient to just stay in town. Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.
Top Spots: Have a sweet treat at Méert, explore the Palais des Beaux Arts, and introduce yourself to the region’s best beers at L’Abbaye des Saveurs.
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One day is enough to see the highlights in Lille.
We were lucky enough to spend a few days here, but if you only have one day in Lille, it’s enough time to get similarly captivated.
You’ll have enough time to eat the best treats in town, take in a museum, and wander the cobblestones as I’m sure the city’s ancestors intended.
How to Spend a Day in Lille
Here’s what I’d prioritize as far as what to do in Lille for the day:
- Start with a waffle at Méert.
- Admire Place du Général-de-Gaulle.
- Browse the books at La Vieille Bourse.
- Explore the Palais des Beaux-Arts.
- Stop for lunch at Restaurant Suzanne.
- Snap photos at Porte de Paris.
- Climb Beffroi de Lille.
- Treat yourself to The Delambre Bakery.
- Grab a beer near Place aux Oignons.
- Choose your dinner adventure at Grand Scène.
One Day in Lille
The assumption with everything I’ll get into below on your Lille one-day itinerary is that these things are open. As this is France, some establishments are closed on Sundays. Others alternate with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays, especially city museums.
It’s just a broad reminder not to follow any guidance too blindly. Check the opening times for anything you’d like to do before you go. If your heart is set on something you see on this Lille itinerary, feel free to plan your trip around it.
Stop 1: Méert
I don’t generally need a full breakfast to start my day. I do like to taste all of the local delights, though, and it doesn’t get more delightful than this pastry shop icon. Méert has been serving up filled waffles since 1849.
While they do more than their signature treat, don’t leave without trying one. I loved the classic Madagascar vanilla, but we sampled a caramel situation, too.
If you do want something more substantial, Paddo Cafe was on our list. We tried getting in on a Sunday morning and the wait was too long. They don’t take reservations, but if you’re interested, get there early, especially on a weekend.
Note: The Paddo Cafe is across the street from Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral. It’s not the most attractive church you’ll encounter in France, but perhaps that’s what makes it interesting. You can visit the crypt underneath if you dare.
Stop 2: Place du Général-de-Gaulle
Known locally as the Grand Place, you’ll likely pass through the town’s main square a few times during your day in Lille. They were setting up the Christmas markets here on our visit, so it was a little more hectic than usual.
In normal times, this is a hub of commerce in Lille. Spend some time admiring the architecture here, which is a mix of Flemish and French styles.
READ MORE: Love a good Christmas market? Colmar in Alsace has some of the most whimsical.
Stop 3: La Vieille Bourse
Don’t leave without popping by the Old Stock Exchange building. On afternoons when it’s not raining, you’ll find booksellers inside hawking used books.
Everything was tarped over on the day we passed by, but the building itself is worth a quick look regardless.
Stop 4: Palais des Beaux Arts
This museum was at the top of my list of things to do in Lille, and it didn’t disappoint. The ground floor is free, but you’ll want to pay the admission fee so that you can see the rest. Full admission will also allow you to see any temporary exhibits happening at that time.
During our visit, they had an immersive Raphael exhibit of 40 drawings that have never been displayed publicly in their entirety. It all felt very special.
There was also a performance art component happening in the sculpture area with topless dancers. They were showing an archive of movements based on conversations they had with locals.
It was quite interesting, more so than the religious art in much of the rest of the place.
You’ll want to spend a few hours wandering here, as the masters are all mixed in. You’ll find artists like Rodin, Donatello, Monet, and Manet represented here. The building itself is also stunning. I found myself staring up at the ceiling for about a third of our visit.
Stop 5: Lunch
Lille has an excellent eating scene, but if you want to try some of the city’s best eateries, you’ll want to go in with a reservation, even for lunch.
Restaurant Suzanne was our pick, as I had read that this one is good enough for a Michelin star. Always the trendsetter, it was obviously a no-brainer. (It has stellar reviews without that buzz, too. I’m not that basic.)
You can choose between two or three courses for lunch. We opted for three so that we could have dessert, a choice between a savory cheese plate or a sweet option.
Everything was delicious and so thoughtfully presented, but the smoky butter may have stolen the show.
Fun fact: I even had to ask how they did it because it tasted infused with smoke. It turns out they used burning birchwood to give it that essence.
If you’d like to visit for dinner, things get even more adventurous. There’s no menu. You just choose between five or seven services and the chef does his thing. They honor any food restrictions, by the way, including a full vegetarian menu.
READ MORE: Marseille is not for the weak, but it’s an excellent eating city. Plan your trip with my guide!
Stop 6: Porte de Paris
France loves a good triumphal arch, and Lille is no exception. The Porte de Paris was built in 1690 to celebrate the victory of Louis XIV over the city of Lille. That might have been an “ouch” moment back then, but today it’s a symbol of the city.
It’s quite atmospheric from either side, so spend some time snapping photos with the intricate carvings and sculptures recognizing Louis’ military victories above.
Stop 7: Beffroi de Lille
We took a quick look at this one from the outside as the weather wasn’t giving “scenic viewpoint.” If you’re luckier with the weather, you can climb to the top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Standing at 104 meters, this is the tallest belfry in northern France. It’s about 100 steps to a reception area where a lift or more steps await to get you to 360-degree views of Lille.
Fun fact: The website says it’s 415 steps total if you want to climb all the way.
If you love a good view and the weather’s being cooperative, book your visit online. You’ll need one in the morning, but it’s helpful in the afternoon when people start lining up for a look, too.
For those moving on as we did, spend a bit of time admiring the architecture, a blend of Art Deco and a more regional style.
Stop 8: The Delambre Bakery
Am I a sucker for things that are advertised as “American”? Yes. Am I basic for loving all things pumpkin spice? Probably.
We made a return trip to this sweets shop just to get said cookie on a wet fall day, and let me tell you, it was delicious. There were no regrets.
They have a shop in Paris, but since you’re in Lille, you should just make it happen. We loved their Nutella version and their take on Thanksgiving, an apple spice cookie, too.
If you’re dealing with an epic sweet tooth over there, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is another popular stop for Lille tourists. The shop started in Lille in the 1990s, but it’s expanded extensively since.
There’s one in New York and another in the town we moved to in France, so we didn’t need to visit this one.
I also find their meringues just fine. You have to really like that sort of thing. I’ve had it once and that’s enough for me, but don’t let me rain on your parade if you’re wooed by their window.
It’s quite atmospheric in there. Their chocolate breads are nice, too.
Stop 9: Place aux Oignons
Next, walk through Vieux-Lille, the city’s historic district. The neighborhood is anchored by this charming square, a super picturesque spot to linger even on a gloomy day.
I’m sure the Flemish-style buildings here come alive when the sun is out and the colors are popping.
The place is generally a popular stop for tourists and locals. I imagine lots of outdoor seating to take advantage of and relax surrounded by old-world charm. Find a cafe or boutique to explore nearby or move on to our favorite tipple spot.
Stop 10: L’Abbaye des Saveurs
Lille is a beer town, and this may be the best place to embrace that fact. This beer shop is just off the Place aux Oignons, so you’re well situated for a beer break.
You can drink a few pours here if you order a snack. We’re always feeling like a snack, so the rule didn’t bother us. A couple that came in after us was quite offended by the shop’s licensing restrictions, so they went on their way cranky and thirsty.
In any case, we got a pork pâté, which paired well with my sour and Brian’s heavier picks. The staff can help you decide on the beer to go with your mood or palate, as there are lots of options here.
Célestin is another popular stop if you’d like to have a beer bar crawl. You can make a reservation to visit the brewery next door or just pop inside the shop to grab a few for later.
I really liked their blonde, a regional award winner that was as bubbly as a French Champagne.
Note: The Passage des Trois Anguilles is just north of Célestin. This narrow little passageway dates back to the Middle Ages. It’s not a must, but a quirky stop if you’re in the neighborhood anyway.
Optional Stop 11: Jardin Vauban
On a nice day, this is Lille’s best green space. We just didn’t have the weather for it. If you do, you can spend some time enjoying the English gardens. They were created here in 1863.
From here, you’ll have access to the quirky Monument aux Pigeons Voyageurs dedicated to the carrier pigeons and their role during World War I. You’re also a short walk from the Citadel of Lille, a historic five-sided fortress from the 17th century.
All of that sounds like an awesome way to finish up your day of exploring Lille.
Stop 12: Grand Scène
We visited this eating hall twice as there was so much variety. It’s like a food court, but it’s more high-quality and fast-casual. They’re open for lunch but don’t arrive before noon no matter what it says online. You’ll only have coffee before then.
After about 7pm, you’ll have your pick of vendors. We tried their burgers, falafel, and Greek food, but they also have a pizza shop, Thai food, and two full bars.
If you want to finish up your day in Lille with something more classic, Estaminet Au Vieux De La Vieille on Place aux Oignons was also on our list. They have a version of Le Welsh, a specialty in these parts loosely based on Welsh rarebit.
It’s essentially bread soaked in bread, then topped with generous amounts of ham, cheese, and a fried egg.
If both of those options sound like way too much, there are all kinds of fry shops to choose from that speak to the city’s proximity to Belgium. Fries are fine, but they might sound extra fine after those beer bars.
With More Time in Lille
It’s quite possible we’ll be back in Lille, as it’s on the way to all kinds of adventure in Belgium and beyond. If that happens, we have a little of things we’d like to do on a return trip:
- Tour Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle, the birthplace of the former French president.
- Shop at Marché de Wazemmes, the city’s local market.
- See a show at L’Aéronef, Lille’s best live music venue.
- Visit the critters at the Lille Zoo.
- Do some learning at the Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse, a former hospital that is now an art and history museum.
The city is also a great base for day trips from Lille. La Piscine, a museum that operates in a building with an old swimming pool running through it, is at the top of my list for next time. It’s in Roubaix, just a 20-minute drive from Lille.
During our trip, we made time to visit the Operation Dynamo Museum and the old military installations on the beaches of Dunkirk. You likely won’t need a full day here. We left for Lille after a late lunch.
On our way to Lille, we also made a stop across the border at Westvleteren, an abbey that potentially brews some of the best beer in the world. Make reservations if you’re here a while and interested in bringing a crate or two home with you.
How to Get to Lille
Lille is easily accessible by train or air. If you’re flying in, Lille Airport is just 15 minutes from the city center. You’ll likely need to connect from elsewhere, though.
The airport is a small regional option but has frequent connections from the major airports in Paris and Brussels.
Lille is also a major hub on Europe’s high-speed rail network, with connections via Eurostar from London and the TGV from big European hubs like Paris and Brussels.
That makes it possible to plan a fun day trip to Lille from Paris, especially if you catch a high-speed train. (Your ride should only take about an hour!) You’ll likely arrive at Lille-Flandres, the main train station. Lille-Europe is another option.
We were on a road trip from the Paris area to Belgium and Lille, so we had a car at our disposal. That said, we didn’t drive into Lille during our visit. We took the Lille Metro from the suburb we were staying in on trips into the city.
It was cheap and easy to navigate, and once we were in Lille itself, the city was quite walkable. To follow the one-day Lille itinerary above, you won’t need anything other than comfortable shoes.
Public transportation is easy enough to use on day trips out of the city, too. A car may just get you there faster.
Where to Stay in Lille
We stayed in a town near Lille as our trip was a little too last-minute to find something affordable in town. While it was easy to connect to Lille by train from where we were, if you’re only here for a day, I’d recommend finding accommodations in town.
Use the map below to explore your options:
There is so much that is enchanting about Lille.
Lille was such a pleasant surprise for us. With a day in Lille, stroll the cobbled streets of Vieux-Lille, admire the colorful Flemish façades, and spend a few hours in one of the best art museums in the country.
You can also spend a good chunk of your Lille day trips indulging in the town’s culinary offerings, from filled waffles to frites to generous pours of the best beer in the region. There is a lot to love about Lille. If you have a full 24 hours or more, I envy you!
Planning more travel in France? Check these out:
- A Golfer’s Review of Le Golf National
- How to Plan a Charming Weekend in Nice
- Love Christmas Markets? Start in Strasbourg
- How to Plan Your Next Trip From Nice to Monaco
- A Day Trip Guide to Scenic Fontainebleau
Here are a few more guides for travel in France:
- A Guide to Summer Travel in France
- What to Do on a Riviera Trip to Antibes
- Visiting the Cliffs of Étretat from Paris: A Guide
- Nice to Cannes: Make a Day Trip Happen!
- How to Plan a Trip to the Loire Valley
Want to see more?
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