is lille a good place to visit

Old Town Lille is great for shopping. Discover 10 of the best things to do in Lille, France. Lille is an architectural feast with strong Flemish influences from the Grand Place to the basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille to the quiet streets of row houses and gardens. Address:Pl. Lille makes a perfect long-weekend escape, with rates dropping (often dramatically) on Friday and Saturday nights. Lille's Flemish cultural heritage is seen in its distinctive Baroque architecture and hearty cuisine. L'orange Bleue: Classy place for lunch - See 673 traveler reviews, 146 candid photos, and great deals for Lille, France, at Tripadvisor. It belonged to his maternal grandparents, and his family was well-off, although it had lost its land in the Revolution almost a century before. Plan your sightseeing visit to the city with our list of the top tourist attractions in Lille. One of the essential things to do in Lille is visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts, considered the second most important museum in France after the Muse du Louvre in Paris. Unfortunately, time is a factor . Its the narrowest street in the city. As youll quickly discover, Lille is very easy to get to and even easier to get around. Given its size, the Palais des Beaux-Arts is usually regarded as the Second Museum of France after the Louvre in Paris. If you want to get a Lille tourists map or have questions for the authorities, the last square is where the Lille Tourist office is located. You might wonder why this makes the list, but until you try the Lillois waffles, you might never know. Galleries of art on three floors display a wide variety of artworks. The beautiful streets, the cheese shops, the hearty food. Lille is a major city of northern France famed for being an important cultural and commercial hub, and for its historical centre. For those with limited mobility, the city centre is mostly flat, though there are a lot of cobbled streets. 8.2/10 Very Good! After more than 350 years La Vieille Bourse still a fixture of daily life in Lille; people come to play chess in the courtyard, and beneath the arcades theres a daily flower and book market. The city blends French and Flemish influences in its cuisine, architecture and bike culture. Lille lies in the north of France, by the border with Belgium and about 225 km/140 miles from Paris. Opened in 2001, La Piscine (as the name might suggest) is set inside a former swimming baths where its breathtaking Art Deco interior has been wonderfully restored and accentuated. Savvy travellers know that Lille has a . . It's one of the world's favorite vacation islands, and its beauty is stunning in its simplicity. I enjoyed Lille a lot and especially the driving tour in 2CV that TradiBalade does!! The Goddess was sculpted in 1845 by Thophile Bra, who also created bas-reliefs on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. With its tower on the faade, the building is an example of an "Hallekerque" (barn-like church), a type of structure adapted to the fragile, marshy soil of Flanders. Located close to the Belgian border, there is much to do and see that is worth visiting for; in your next France visit. Highest Rating Restaurants Save up to 50% at Lille restaurants when you book on Tripadvisor See All Offers 1. This area is the best place to experience Lille's old-world charm and vibrant urban energy. The countess built the hospital in a wing of her own palace, which was later used by Augustine nuns. Climb the belfry. I've been using their daily passes not just when I travel outside the EU (no roaming charges for me in the EU) but also as a backup for when I think I'll go over my phone's data plan. and the awesome beers. Lille, and most of northern France, is known for beer, from local artisan ales to the hundreds of Trappists, tripels and lambics brewed just over the border in Belgium. Spend one day visiting museums, and another touring battlefields, then wrap things up with a visit to one of France's biggest shopping centers, where you can buy souvenirs and other items to commemorate your trip. There are some artefacts that will catch the eye, like the generals cradle, and the officers sword he received at the end of his first year at the Saint-Cyr military academy. Address:27 Rue de lEsprance, 59100 Roubaix, FranceVisit Website|Save on Google Maps|Save on Tripadvisor*. Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. Read more reviews for Tous les Jours Dimanche. Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. One of northern Frances best-loved and largest outdoor markets is held at Place Nouvelle Aventure on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings. La Broche: Awesome place - See 7 traveller reviews, 4 candid photos, and great deals for Lille, France, at Tripadvisor. The buildings feature harmonious classical lines and decorative sculptural details such as cartouches, scrolls, cornucopias, and angels. You'll get binoculars to see all the things and an audioguide. Lille. For many visitors, arriving by train will be the best option. At the heart of the square is the Colonne de la Desse, put up in the 19th century to honour the citys part in repelling the Habsburg Empire in the Siege of Lille in 1792. On the base, an engraved inscription reads: "The courageous response of the Mayor of Lille, Andr, who refused to surrender the besieged city." It is located in Lesquin, some 7 km south-southeast of Lille. Belfries are something typical of Belgium and the north of France and Lille's belfry can be seen by City Hall at the Place Augustin Laurent. The lively city of Amiens, in France's Picardy region, is less touristy but worth the trip (about 90 minutes by train or car). The bustling main square of Lille, the Place du Gnral de Gaulle is surrounded by stately Renaissance and Baroque Flemish buildings with ornately adorned Neoclassical faades. It shut down in the 80s but was reopened as a wonderful space in which to showcase a large archive of textile samples gathered from Lilles many textile factories. I've got you covered! My daughter spent half her year abroad ( for her degree) in Lille. Includes practical information on how to plan and book your visit, plus things to do in Roubaix. We didn't really go shopping though, neither did we take a tour or visit a museum. Check here for timetables, prices and tickets for train travel within Europe. One of the essential things to do in Lille is visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts, considered the second most important museum in France after the Muse du Louvre in Paris. The surrounding area offers lots of decent food options, particularly world cuisine, though not too many obvious vegan options unfortunately. Booking a guided visit is essential* and must be done at least 24 hours in advance. Here, youll get a really good feel for the place and youll be able to enjoy some of Lilles fabulous architecture. The pool was completed in 1932 and was conceived in an exquisite art deco style. Items for sale include used books, old records, vintage furniture, antique silverware and dinnerware, and second-hand clothing, jewelry, artisan crafts, and artwork. Is it easy to reach to places from train station? The cathedral takes its name from a medieval statue of the Virgin Mary ("Notre-Dame de la Treille") that was protected by a wrought-iron gate (trellis). Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. The citys gaufre fourre is a great reason why you should visit Lille, to be honest. 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Booking your train tickets in advance not only brings peace of mind, it also often means you pay the lowest fare. To admire the view, you'll have to climb 109 stairs first, and then take an elevator. That classic Flemish style has also been adopted by more modern structures, like the art deco Voix du Nord building next-door, which was built in 1936 and has a high crow-stepped gable. If you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Children will enjoy the Parc de Zoologique. There are seven areas in all, most organised geographically, so in Les Terres dAfrique are zebras and rhinos, while the American zone has alpacas and tapirs. And the weird Notre Dame de la Treille is another one. >>Why You Should do the Beer Tasting Treasure Hunt in Lille. Theres some wonderfully quirky and unique stuff available, so take your time to browse and to appreciate how diverse and alive the local artistic community is. I've picked four towns that are easy to get to . So maybe it's best to go a bit early or later if you want to be sure to snatch a spot. With companies like Brittany Ferries now offering daily crossings to five major ports across Northern France, it's never been easier or more affordable to explore this congenial corner of the continent. Sounds like the time to return might have come :), A beautiful place, hope to visit all places and try all the food in your list! We had a lovely time. By all accounts, this fine art museum is meant to be superb and one of the best places to visit in Lille. TravelDos and DontsAs a Tourist in France, Gordes Travel Guide: Tips for Visiting Gordes, First Time in France: Best 7-day Itinerary, Barge Cruises in France: Why You Should Take One, Why You Should do the Beer Tasting Treasure Hunt in Lille, 10 Healthy Living Tips To Adopt From The French, 9 Activities to Try on Your Next Holiday to France, 6 Great Ways To Keep Entertained On a Long Flight. The arch is currently undergoing some restoration work, but its still easy to see how impressive and grand it is. Search and compare bus fares with Busbud*, which offers comprehensive and up-to-date timetable and ticket price information for destinations all over the world. For general accommodation searches, we recommend Tripadvisor*. Just between Place Rihour and Grand Place are typical restaurants cooking Flemish-style dishes like carbonnade Flamande, a beef stew made with beer and served with French fries. You do not have to visit for a performance before you step in. The local football team, Lille OSC have been a mainstay of Ligue 1 for many years, and managed to win the league in 2011. Aside from the hotels I mentioned, I recommend checking Booking.com for accommodation as it allows you to filter on price per night. You can climb to the top of the Belfry at 104 meters to get a panoramic view of the city. Still, they can also explore deeper into streets like the Rue de la Che and the Rue Basse (for antiques), the Rue de la Grande Chause (for the likes of Louis Vuitton and Hermes), the Rue de la Vieille Comdie, the Rue Nationale, and the Place Rihour. It's easily walkable, has a nice Old Town with plenty of shops and sightseeing opportunities and art lovers will definitely find some places to go in Lille as well. Visitors will enjoy taking a stroll through the grounds while admiring the monumental sculptures by Alexander Calder and Picasso, among others. The museum is closed on Mondays and on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. The hospital remained in service until 1939, and the property was converted to a museum in 1962. Tous les Jours Dimanche is much bigger than it looks from the outside, but it's compartmentalized in such a way that no matter what table you're sitting at, it always feels cozy and you get the impression of having food in someone's living room. Located in the upmarket Esquermes quarter, Lilles zoo is free to enter, placing it among the most-visited zoological attractions in all of France. Nord-Pas de Calais. Lyons-la-Fort In Haute Normandie, this small town is surrounded by the kind of idyllic farmland that people dream of when they think of the Norman and Breton countryside. The zoo is pretty compact, but has 450 animals from 70-odd species and takes part in international conservation programs for endangered species. Chez Fred. If youre on the hunt for culture youll be pleased with what you find: The Palace of Fine Arts is second only to the Louvre and theres a clutch of smaller attractions that deserve your attention. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer. Instead, we headed to our next stop, Eating is another one of the fun things to do in Lille, France :-). Address: 9 Rue Princess, Lille (Take Bus 14 or 50 to Les Bateliers stop). Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. Boracay is among the best places to visit for a relaxing beach trip and some fun in the sun. Lille is the place to be if you want to discover the country's prized arts, architecture, shops, and historical sights. Vieux-Ville is ideal for the casual explorer with no where in particular to go. It's also the highest viewpoint in Lille. Tack on extra days late in the week, when more places are open, and in particular skip Tuesdays, when most of the city's museums close. Lille Zoo is located in the same park and so is a fairground for children. Charming Towns in Belgium: Lille could also be incorporated into various vacation itineraries, such as a tour of Belgium's highlights: The picturesque old city of Ghent is just over an hour away by train; the dreamy medieval city of Bruges is two hours away by train; and bustling Antwerp, rich in culture and history, is also just over two hours away by train. The latter is where you can get in when arriving on the Eurostar from Brussels or London to Lille or on high-speed trains from within France. Saint Louis (King of France) made a pilgrimage here in the 13th century. A short stroll north of the cathedral is the Eglise Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. From La Grand Place, wander along Rue Esquermoise and youll encounter storefront after storefront of cute boutiques and shops, independent cafes who take their coffee very seriously and welcoming bistros with steamed up windows. (185 reviews) "Perfect location for the stadium! This platform offers 24/7 support in 10 languages and always finds you the cheapest transfers among their verified taxi partners. It really took off in 1999 when it received a donation from LAracine, an association of Art Brut collectors, and now contains the largest set of Art Brut works in France. For museums, Paris is the way to go, although I believe Lyon, Marseille and Lille are also in the top picks. If you happen to visit Lille in the yuletide seasons, do not miss the amazing Christmas market. Before booking your train tickets, do check to see if taking the bus is a better option for you (see below for details). Or you can keep going up by foot, you'll have 300 more stairs to climb. We really liked how chilled out the city felt and we liked that there was a good mix of grand buildings and grittier, characterful neighbourhoods. The somber contemporary-style faade (completed in the 1990s) features an arched "veil" of translucent pink marble with a modern rose window at the center. Ultimately visiting Lille proved to be a great decision as it allowed me to see a completely different side of France. This is known as "bocage", pasture for cattle and orchards bounded by thickets. Close to these landmarks are these highly rated hotels in Lille: Nearby Places to Visit: For many tourists, a visit to Lille is taken as a day trip from Paris or as a detour on the way to Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. This is not because it is a cathedral, it resembles a beautiful piece formed from the coming together of different parts of a church. Highlights include its enchanting old town with magnificent French and Flemish architecture, renowned art museums, stylish shopping, outstanding cuisine, a nightlife scene bolstered by 67,000 university students, and some 1600 designers in its environs. Have we been helpful? For some, Lille is the capital of the north. Have A Splendid Meal At An Estaminet If you do not know, many people visit Lille for its Estaminet. Upstairs the Sacristy, with lovely stained-glass windows, and the Salle du Conclave are venues for exhibitions and public events. Located in neighbouring Villeneuve-dAscq (which itself is a part of the greater Lille metropolitan area), LaM is home to over 4500 pieces of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Tourist attractions in Lille and book your visit, plus things to in... Four towns that are easy to get a panoramic view of the best places to visit Lille,.... Visit to the city blends French and Flemish influences in its cuisine architecture..., by the border with Belgium and about 225 km/140 miles from.. 450 animals from 70-odd species and takes part in international conservation programs for endangered species sculptural details such cartouches. Maps|Save on Tripadvisor see all the things and an audioguide you pay lowest... 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