Itineraries for Your Trip to Lille
2 Days in Lille for First Timers
Although I’d visited Lille as a kid, I only really got to know the city over the past few years when a good friend of mine relocated there from Paris. What I love most about the Hauts-de-France capital is its blend of French and Flemish culture. Nowhere else in France can you tuck into a Belgian-style waffle and sip Belgian beer in between admiring artworks by the French masters and visiting the birthplace of French icon Charles de Gaulle.
The city is small enough to squeeze into a day trip, and many travelers visit en route to Brussels, Paris, or Amsterdam, but two days in Lille gives you time to take it all in. Here’s how to make the most of it.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walking tour of the Old Town (Vieille Lille).
The north of France is notorious for its grey skies and showers, so cross your fingers for sunshine but pack an umbrella.
If it’s your first time in Lille, start with a walking tour of the Old Town, where the city’s mix of Gallic and Flemish influences is immediately apparent. Admire the stately buildings that surround the Grand Place, including the Old Stock Exchange, Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral, and Palais Rihour, then learn about Lille’s medieval roots at the Hospice Comtesse Museum.
One of the best things to do in Lille for first timers and repeat visitors is to sample the city’s cuisine, which blends northern French and Belgian local specialties. Join a food-tasting tour for local advice and tips on where and what to eat, and be sure to taste hearty carbonnade flamande (beef and ale stew), potjevleesch (meat terrine), and moules-frites (mussels and fries), followed by a Belgian waffle with speculoos.
Like most cities, Lille is even more atmospheric after dark, so hop aboard a vintage 2CV for a fun sightseeing ride. With a classic car at your disposal, you can cover more distance, passing the Arc de Triomphe–inspired Porte de Paris, the bustling Place de la République, and Lille Citadel, all illuminated by night.
There are plenty of options for day trips from Lille. Perhaps spend your final morning visiting the historic town of Arras and nearby Lens, home to the celebrated Louvre-Lens art museum. Alternatively, full-day tours visit the many World War I battlefields and memorials in Northern France, following the route of the notorious Battle of the Somme and including Tyne Cot Cemetery and the moving Last Post Ceremony in Ypres, Belgium.
On your final afternoon, check off any must-see attractions in Lille that you’ve missed. Head to the Town Hall where you can climb the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Belfry for a panoramic view, admire the artworks on display at the Museum of Fine Arts or LaM, or challenge your travel buddies to a fun outdoor escape room or scavenger hunt.
Round out your 2-day Lille itinerary by sampling the city’s nightlife on your final evening. Snag tickets in advance for a show at the Lille Opera, then hop between the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs around Place Rihour and along Rue de la Monnaie. Enjoy a beer tasting at one of Lille’s craft breweries or toast your trip with Champagne via a private ride in another classic convertible 2CV.
