The 9 Best Things to See and Do on a Day Trip to Lille

Great rail and road connections make Lille a good day trip from London, Paris and Brussels. Its multicultural heritage – it was ruled by Flanders and Spain before becoming French – delivers a delightfully eclectic mix of architectural and culinary styles packed with personality. And, like many northern European towns, the warmth of the people makes up for the climate. The genuine welcome and deliciously comforting food will have you planning a return trip before you’ve even left.

How long do you need to spend in Lille? One of the best things about Lille is its walkable size. As a compact city, you can cram lots into a short time. So, with your curiosity, camera and comfy shoes at the ready, here’s our itinerary for visiting Lille in a day.

Whether you arrive by car, bus or train, you’ll arrive in the centre of the city. Make your way to the Grand Place. It’s the main square and the perfect place to stop for breakfast and get your bearings. Fuel up on freshly brewed coffee and dive straight into discovering the exquisite local pastries. Head to Aux merveilleux de Fred for a sugar and raisin cramique brioche and peruse the displays of merveilleux that give the store its name: a dome of meringue and chocolate whipped cream coated with shavings of dark chocolate. Make a mental note to come back for an afternoon treat.

Good to know: This square is also known as Place Charles de Gaulle as Lille is the birthplace of the former French president. 

Aux merveilleux de Fred

• Grand Place: 5 Place du Général de Gaulle, 59800 Lille
• Open Monday to Saturday 9am-6:30pm
• Other boutiques at 67 Rue de la Monnaie in the old town, and at Lille Flandres station

Wander down the pedestrianised street to the ornate Vieille Bourse, or old stock exchange. Enter by one of the four doors in the majestic façade to discover the inner courtyard. As the day goes on, the courtyard fills up with second-hand booksellers and chess players who come to while away the time. In summer, tango classes and dance nights add a vibrant atmosphere to the balmy evenings.

Exit the Vieille Bourse on the opposite side to come out into Place du Théâtre. The main attraction here is the grand opera building which replaced the original theatre that burned down in 1903. From here, head down Rue de la Clef towards the cathedral.

This is not your average cathedral. The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille was built in stages over 150 years and it shows, in a startling contrast of old and new. The initial Gothic design seen at the back was sidelined along the way to become a sleek, understated exterior on the front entrance. Its unusualness makes it worth a gander on your way into the old town. Go inside and admire the stained-glass windows, then sit in the gardens to plan your next move.

Teeming with cobbled streets, art galleries and a lively vibe, the old town is one of the best places to eat and drink in Lille. Take the weight off your feet and grab a table at an estaminet, a traditional bistro. Au Vieux de la Vieille by the pretty Place aux Oignons comes highly recommended for its local cuisine. Try the Flemish beef stew cooked with mustard, syrup and beer – you’ve clocked up enough steps to deserve it! Another hearty favourite is the Welsh, a Cheddar-laden dish with ham, bread, mustard and beer (it’s a thing here) that will warm the cockles and satisfy the soul.

Next, meander through the narrow streets. Whip out your camera to capture the flower-decked façades, luxury boutiques, and cute pavement cafés that could be plucked straight from the set of a French film.

Au Vieux de la Vieille

• 2 Rue des Vieux Murs, 59800 Lille
• Open every day for lunch and dinner

Continue to the citadel, a haven of greenery and a popular spot for walking, exercising and relaxing. The citadel itself is a military building and isn’t open for visits, but it’s a landmark worth looking at and its hilltop location provides a great view. The park includes a zoo with more than 400 species of animals which will be a hit for families with children.

Head back down towards Place de la République for a culture fix and a great indoor activity should you need to dodge the rain. This is France’s second biggest art gallery after the Louvre and home to works by Rodin, Rubens and Picasso. Art aficionados will be in their element with the permanent and temporary collections, but amateurs and youngsters are also in for a treat. Work your way around a visitor-friendly itinerary in 45 minutes. There are four themes to choose from: food, love, animals and eye candy (we kid you not).

Stay a while to browse the bookshop or have a bite to eat at the café, where fresh local produce and an eco-friendly focus are de rigueur.

• Open Monday 2pm-6pm and Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm, closed on Tuesdays
• Tickets: Full price €7-€11, reduced price €4-€9, reduced rate after 4:30pm
• Free admission on the first Sunday of the month

Lille’s year-round vibrant buzz goes up a notch at certain times of the year, making it a great destination for a European city break. La Grande Braderie is a huge flea market that takes over the town in September, with professionals and visitors flocking from near and far. In December, take a day trip to the Christmas market which brims with festive cheer. Though smaller than some of its neighbours, it’s easier to get to; and less time travelling means more time for shopping and enjoyment! Stock up on fabulous gifts and delicious desserts in streets bedecked with fairy lights, less than two hours from Paris and London.

Take your tourist experience to the next level with 360° views of the city. Go sky high to the top of the 104m-tall belfry at the Hôtel de Ville. Feeling energetic? Storm up all 400 steps to be rewarded with fabulous, unimpeded views of the town. Prefer something less strenuous? Amble up the first 100 steps then take the lift to the top. Buy tickets in advance at the tourist office or book online at least 24 hours beforehand for a discounted rate.

Wrap up the afternoon at Meert, Lille’s not-so-hidden gem and a temple for gourmets. The ornate shopfront is as exquisite as the delights inside. Don’t take our word for it – the queue snaking down the street speaks for itself. Inside, an awe-inspiring array of delicate cream-filled wafers, handcrafted chocolates and elegant French desserts provide the cherry on the cake of your escapade in Lille.

Meert

• 25-27 Rue Esquermoise, 59000 Lille
• Open Monday 2pm-7pm, Tuesday to Saturday 10am-7:30pm, and Sunday 9am-7pm

As your day trip draws to a close, why not eke it out with a cocktail on your way back to the train? The bar at Mama Shelter near the station is the perfect last stop for a refreshingly quirky tipple in a fun and offbeat setting.

Lille is readily accessible from many major European cities, making it easy to plan a seamless day trip.

By train – lines run into Lille Flandres and Lille Europe multiple times a day. Both are in the city centre which makes it easy to stop off and visit Lille if you have a couple of hours between trains.

• From London – hop on the Eurostar to get to Lille in 80 minutes.
• From Paris – take the TGV and arrive in Lille in an hour.
• From Brussels – come by train in just 38 minutes.

By bus – Blablabus and Flixbus offer affordable transport and bring you right into the city centre. Routes are available from many cities in France and Belgium, and an overnight service from London is a great way to make the most of your day trip to Lille.

By car – easy access from major cities.

• From Paris – Take the A1 motorway. 220km in around 2.5 hours.
• From Folkestone, England – Le Shuttle connects Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes, then half an hour on the A26 motorway. 
• From Brussels – Take the E19 and E429 to join the A27 motorway in France. 110 km in around 90 minutes.

By plane – check the Lille airport website for domestic flights in France and international flights from Geneva and European countries. A shuttle service runs between the airport and the city centre.