Are you trying to convince your friends or family to come to Lille with you? Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a longer holiday, there are hundreds of things to do in the capital of Flanders. Here’s the proof.
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
Sure, the people are great and they have the best beer in France, but there are also plenty of other reasons to visit Lille. Whether you’re a fan of sports, museums, restaurants or partying until the wee hours, here is a sample of what awaits you.
>> Book your train ticket for Lille
5 good reasons to visit Lille
For its unusual museums
Lille has a rich history and exceptional heritage, and offers countless museums to visit. Start with the Tripostal, a 6000 m² exhibition space in the Euralille district. Here, contemporary art is king, and you will have plenty of opportunities to be surprised, to dream and to reflect thanks to the many installations from artists from around the world.
Continue on to La Piscine in Roubaix. But be warned, you won’t be taking a dip! Indeed, this former Olympic pool has been converted into a museum. Its stunning collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and sculptures goes beautifully with its Art Deco architecture!
If you prefer modern art, head to LaM, the Villeneuve d’Ascq modern art museum. It is home to 4500 works, including a large collection of Art Brut. Although it was designed by amateur artists, it is accessible to all.
Finally, the Matisse Museum will undoubtedly delight lovers of the French painter, as it is the #1 museum dedicated to his works — which hardly comes as a surprise, considering the fact that it’s in Cateau-Cambrésis, where Matisse was born!
For the food
Obviously, the restaurants of Lille are best known for culinary specialities of the North. Head to the Estaminet Chez la Vieille to get a taste. Sample the famous fricadelle and its piccadilli sauce, whose recipe is kept secret. Or perhaps you’d prefer the carbonnade flamande?
If you’re looking for a brasserie, I suggest Brasserie Flore, just next to the Grand’Place. In this elegant setting, you can continue your discovery of regional specialities.
Looking for a hot spot? Then head to Better in Villeneuve d’Ascq! This street food market has 8 different stands where you can eat in a casual chic atmosphere.
To finish, don’t forget to check out the Wazemmes covered market. It’s a great chance to bring local products, such as Maroilles cheese, back home with you from your trip.
For a change of scenery
In 2004, Lille was named the European capital of culture. From the establishments built in celebration, the city has maintained its Maisons Folies and various exhibition spaces, workshops and concert venues such as La Condition Publique in Roubaix. It’s both accessible and very creative. But you’ll need to head to the clubs to party until the wee hours.
La Relève — rue Masséna, in the heart of the city centre — offers an intimate space where DJs from all over the region come to offer house and techno music nights.
In Lille, they take their football seriously. The proof: the LOSC, the city’s club, took second place in the 2019 championships, just behind PSG! Why not check out the new Pierre Mauroy stadium and join the sea of 50,000 fans?
Or if it’s shopping you’re looking for, the Usine à Roubaix is a shopper’s paradise! It’s an immense factory outlet that sells brand name clothing at cut-label prices — what a deal!
To get off the beaten path
Lille also has its secrets. Are you curious? Let’s start by strolling through the streets of the Wazemmes neighborhood. There, near the Rue de Flandre, you will find highly colourful works of street art!
On the occasion of the 4th Biennale Internationale d’Art Mural (organised by the Collectif Renart from April to June 2019) and the El Dorado event, 23 frescos were painted in Lille and the surrounding areas. You can still come admire them today!
We also suggest walking into the Saint-Sauveur train station. This former industrial building is now one of the coolest spots in town. It is home to art expos, concerts, workshops and a big bar where you can relax.
Art is also hiding in the gardens and parks of Lille! Visiting the Parc Mosaïc in the commune of Houplin Ancoisne is like stepping into a dream world. There you will find botanical curiosities, works of art and rare domestic animals. Keep your eyes peeled!
Finally, in Tourcoing, Le Fresnoy centre combines disciplines including cinema, fine arts and digital art. Young artists from around the world come there to show their work.
To relive history
Visit the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle, in the heart of Lille. This 19th century aristocratic home has been open to the public since 1983 and will give you a glimpse into the life and work of the general thanks to its impressive collection of documents.
Another fascinating piece of history: that of the textile industry in northern France. At the Manufacture des Flandres, a former weaving factory, you can discover the machines and methods that made Roubaix so famous in the textile industry.
Prefer bicycles to bedsheets? Just a few metres away, the Vélodrome Couvert Régional Jean Stablinski is for you. Yes indeed, bicycling is also important in Roubaix, thanks to the legendary Paris-Roubaix race.
Here you can try cycling on a track as you pedal on a course with a 44.3° incline! Rest assured, everything is provided, from the bicycle to the shoes. All you need to do is put your legs into it!
