What to see in Lille in one day? Although I had heard many good things about the city and its lively atmosphere, I must admit that I was surprised by the beauty of its architecture and the richness of its heritage!
So I decided to show you Old Lille with a stroll through its most beautiful streets and monuments. If you’re wondering how to visit Lille and what to see in Lille in one day, follow the guide!
WHAT TO SEE IN LILLE IN ONE DAY : PRACTICAL TIPS
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How to get to Lille?
By train, Lille is 1 hour from Paris, which is very convenient for spending the day in Lille!
By car, it takes about 2 hours to get from Paris to Lille. You will also need a car if you want to visit the area around Lille.
Compare car rentals to find the best price in Lille!
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Where to stay to visit Lille in one day?
Here are several accommodation suggestions, ranked according to your budget and your needs for your stay in Lille.
Find your accommodation in Lille!
3 hotels I recommend to visit Lille in one day
APPARTEMENT LES CARIATIDES
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- In Lille city center
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- Cosy flat
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- From €80
GRAND HÔTEL BELLEVUE
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- On the Grand Place !
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- Stunning 4 star hotel
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- From €180
PÉNICHE LA BIGOUDÈNE
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- Charming barge
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- Calm setting
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- From €90
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How to organize your time to visit Lille in one day
Old Lille isn’t huge, so it’s possible to visit the center of Lille in a day. Everything is easily accessible on foot, but you can also rent a bike or take the metro.
A weekend will give you time to explore the surrounding area along the Deûle river, as well as the museums of the European Metropolis of Lille (Louvre-Lens, Piscine de Roubaix, Villa Cavrois, LaM, etc.).
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What to bring back from Lille
Lille is known for its generous and distinctive cuisine. Welsh steak, fries with meatballs, mussels and fries, Flemish carbonnade… You’ll have to try lots of things in the North! When it comes to cheese, you’ll find delicious maroille, especially at Philippe Olivier (3 Rue du Cure Saint-Etienne).
Lille’s pastries are easier to take home and just as tempting. Les Merveilleux de Fred (67 rue de la Monnaie), melt-in-the-mouth meringues, and gaufres de chez Meert (25 rue Esquermoise) are must-try treats.
Beer is another specialty of the Lille region. Head to Abbaye des Saveurs (13 Rue des Vieux Murs) to find your favorite!
1. VISIT LILLE’S FAMOUS GRAND PLACE AND ITS MONUMENTS
Let’s start our tour of Lille in style, in the very heart of the city: the Grand Place. This is THE spot not to miss if you wonder what to see in Lille in one day ! This magnificent square is the symbol of Lille’s architecture, with its orange Flemish houses and richly decorated facades. You can sense the splendor that came with Lille’s strategic location at the crossroads of the fairs of the North and South.
All around, some of the city’s most beautiful monuments watch over the square. You’ll find the Théâtre du Nord, the headquarters of La Voix du Nord with its style blending Art Deco and regional influences, and the goddess standing in the middle of the square, watching passers-by from the top of her column! Like the rest of the city, the architectural styles of the Grand Place are extremely varied!
The Grand Place is also home to the Vieille Bourse, one of Lille’s most beautiful palaces. This huge 17th-century monument is actually made up of 24 ochre-colored houses. Did you know that the ochre color found everywhere in Lille actually comes from Burgundy? This is because, at the time, the Dukes of Burgundy were allied with the Counts of Flanders.
Venture under the arcades of the Old Stock Exchange to discover its beautiful inner courtyard. Several bookshops occupy the premises, much to the delight of passers-by.
Now exit on the other side of the courtyard to admire another famous Lille monument. This is the beffroi de la chambre de commerce, the most beautiful in the city! However, it is not the tallest (that honor goes to the town hall), as it is “only” 75 meters high.
It faces the Lille Opera House, with a more classic architectural style that offers a nice contrast within Old Lille. Yet they were built by the same architect!
On the other side of the Grand Place, don’t forget to take a look at the Palais Rihour. This 15th-century Gothic palace now houses Lille’s tourist office. You can also go up and see the large conclave hall, which is also worth a visit.
2. STROLL THROUGH THE PRETTY STREETS OF OLD LILLE
I was particularly charmed and surprised by the pretty streets of Old Lille. Completely restored, their facades shine brightly thanks to their warm colors and opulent decorations. Everywhere you look, you’ll discover the mix of styles that is so appealing in Lille: brick workers’ cottages, Flemish-style bourgeois buildings, more modern constructions…
The streets are also very lively, and I really enjoyed the beautiful buzz. If you’re lucky enough to have a sunny day in Lille, you’ll see that it’s a real pleasure to stroll through these colorful streets!
Head to the charming Place aux Oignons, for example, to take a break at the Café de la Vieille or discover the local curiosities. A few streets away is the Passage des Trois Anguilles. At 100 meters long and only 1.2 meters wide, it only reveals itself to passersby who are looking for it!
Closer to the Grand Place, the Rue de la Clef is always bustling with pretty shops and cobblestones.
Another very pleasant neighborhood to stroll around is the Rue de Gand, which is closed off by the gate of the same name. Here you will find many estaminets where you can sample all the regional specialties! (See below in the “Practical Tips” section).
3. TAKE A BREAK ON THE ÎLOT COMTESSE TO TASTE LILLE’S SPECIALITIES
Practical information:
Beer brewing workshop: 2.5 hours – 75€ – link to book
Waffle-making and Lille deserts workshop: 3 hours – 75€ – link to book
Now head to the pretty Rue de la Monnaie, just a few steps from the cathedral. Dressed all in yellow, it is home to many shops, including Aux Merveilleux de chez Fred! If you’re spending a day in Lille, you can’t miss out on the local specialties!
The famous merveilleux from Fred’s are made from meringue coated with whipped cream and are sure to impress! Don’t forget to take away a cramique, a Lille brioche with raisins or chocolate chips, which are delicious! You can then sit down for a little tasting on the Îlot Comtesse at the end of the street.
Other local specialties not to be missed: waffles! If you want to discover all the secrets of waffle making with an artisan waffle maker and leave with some homemade treats, don’t hesitate to book a workshop. Indulgence and enjoyment guaranteed!
Book your workshop to make your own Liège waffles!
And if you prefer beer and have always dreamed of brewing your own beer, Lille is the place to do it! An artisan brewer will show you the ropes and you can take your creation home with you.
Book your workshop to make your own beer!
The Îlot Comtesse is a small, peaceful garden that feels a bit like being in a bubble! In the middle of the hustle and bustle of Vieux Lille, the island protects its visitors, whether they stay for a day or an hour, surrounded by old red-brick buildings.
It owes its name to the Hospice Comtesse, located on one side of the garden, which now houses a museum on the history of the city. This former Lille hospice is somewhat similar to the one in Beaune, with its huge salles des pauvres (poor people’s rooms).
The Îlot Comtesse also had a feature that is difficult to imagine today: a mill and locks bordered the hospice, where the Canal Saint Pierre used to be! Part of it still remains today under the hospice, which you can discover during Heritage Days.
4. MARVEL AT LILLE CATHEDRAL AND ITS COLORFUL HOUSES
This one is a spot not to miss and you wonder what to see in Lille in one day !
While most major French cities have a magnificent cathedral that has stood the test of time, you can expect something completely different in Lille! The Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral has a rather unusual history…
Built during the Industrial Revolution following an international architecture competition, it has been shaped by changes in architects and historical events. Its construction was only completed in 1999, almost 150 years after the first stone was laid!
The gray, modern exterior architecture is truly disconcerting and may put off visitors who love Lille’s colorful facades. The huge white façade even suggests that renovation work is underway… However, you really must go inside the cathedral, as it hides an astonishing feature! You will discover that the white façade is actually separate from the building and stands on its own! It is made up of thin slabs of white marble…
Just behind the cathedral, I suggest you discover another of the city’s gems: Lille’s most colorful houses! These yellow, blue, and pink dollhouses are narrow and slender and reminded me a little of Amsterdam. It almost looks as if each one is trying to steal the show from the others by stretching toward the sky…
They are surrounded by a moat garden and connected to the rest of the city by a footbridge that leads to their doorways. A very surprising and colorful place, in stark contrast to the cathedral! They are a must-see if you visit Lille…
5. ADMIRE THE TALLEST CIVIL BELL TOWER IN EUROPE
You can’t visit Lille without discovering its highest point: the Beffroi de l’Hôtel de Ville! Built in the late 1920s from brick and concrete, it is a World Heritage Site. At 104 meters, it is also the tallest civil belfry in Europe… It must be said that it is particularly impressive when viewed from below!
Belfries have been a symbol of the North and Flanders since the 13th century. At the time, they symbolized independence from feudal power and the economic development of the region. They also served as watchtowers…
The town hall district is also characterized by the mix of architectural styles that can be found in Lille. Right next to the Art Deco-inspired town hall, the beautiful Hermitage Gantois building recalls the Flemish style with its warm colors. And just a stone’s throw away, don’t miss the Impasse des Brigittines.
Connected to the rest of the city by a 17th-century vaulted passageway, the courtyard remains one of the quietest places in Lille. It’s hard to imagine that this haven of peace was once a convent with a scandalous reputation, of which only the pretty brick pavilions, originally intended for the nuns, remain today.
6. VISIT THE LILLE CITADEL PARK BY BIKE
The citadel of Lille is truly one of the jewels of the city! Surrounded by the arms of the Deûle River, it is an impregnable fortress thanks to its floodable moats and star shape, which allowed each wall to protect the others. You can explore its entire extent and stroll along the magnificent ramparts. The surrounding area is lush with greenery and forms the green lung of Lille.
The walk is even more enjoyable by bike if you have the opportunity (you can rent bikes right next to the citadel). You can then explore its entire immense enclosure, designed by Vauban. It was also Vauban’s first citadel, which he himself named the “Queen of Citadels”!
It is now owned by NATO but can be visited on Sunday afternoons during the summer.
On your way back to Lille city center, I recommend stopping at the quai de Wault, right next to the citadel. Today, this basin doesn’t look like much, but it has a rich history! It was one of Lille’s two ports, located on the North Sea trade route! As goods had to be unloaded and then reloaded a few kilometers away in the second port, the city was able to develop and become an important trading center in northern Europe!
7. ENJOY LILLE’S CULTURAL LIFE
If you like museums and culture and wonder what to see in Lille in one day, I have good news for you ! The Lille metropolitan area is extremely dynamic in the cultural sphere, but there are also some great things to discover in the city center!
The leading museum in Lille, the Musée des Beaux-Arts houses an impressive collection of works from antiquity to the present day! It is very rare to find such diversity in a single museum outside of Paris!
If you visit, don’t forget to admire the magnificent entrance hall and the salle des Plans reliefs (relief map room) in the basement. These huge 18th-century models are true masterpieces. You can see the model of the city of Lille and other fortified towns in Flanders.
Other places in the city center are also dedicated to art, such as the Gare Saint-Sauveur. Lille’s first freight station in 1875, it was converted into a cultural center in 2009. Today, it hosts contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, and movie theaters, all free of charge!
Practical information – Museum of Fine Arts: Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. €7 (reduced rate €4, free for children under 12 and on Sundays for all Lille residents).
WHAT TO DO AROUND LILLE ?
If you are wondering what to see in Lille in one day and you also want to explore the surrounding area, here are some nice spots for you !
Museums in the Lille metropolitan area: Lille is famous for its cultural influence, particularly through its major museums: La Piscine in Roubaix, the Louvre-Lens, the LaM in Villeneuve d’Ascq, the Villa Cavrois in Croix, and more. Most of them are accessible by public transportation from the center of Lille.
Wambrechies (15 minutes): also located on the Deûle River, this small town on the outskirts of Lille is a lovely place to take a stroll along the towpath, either on foot or aboard a 1926 tram that has traveled more than two million kilometers in 30 years! Its town center is also very charming, centered around Place du Général de Gaulle!
Cassel (40 minutes from Lille): this small village typical of northern France is renowned for its Flemish lifestyle and authenticity. In 2018, it was voted France’s favorite village!
Thank you to Olivier and Fanny (Hello Lille and Lille Tourism) for their warm welcome and fascinating tours!
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