Lille may not be the first place that comes to mind for a city break, but it should be.
Just a quick train ride from Paris, London, or Brussels, Lille is an ideal weekend destination. The old town has a laid-back vibe, filled with hip restaurants, interesting cultural sights, and charming Flemish-style architecture.
We took the train from Paris and met up with our friend from London in Lille. While it was never high on our list, we were all pleasantly surprised to find a lively, youthful city that felt a lot like the Marais, one of Paris’s trendiest neighborhoods.
This itinerary covers exactly how we spent two days in Lille, including where to eat, what to see, and where to stay for the weekend.
2 Days in Lille Quick List
Stay: Clarance Hotel; Au Cœur de Lille; Grand Hôtel Bellevue
Do: Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral; La Piscine Museum; Palais des Beaux Arts; Beffroi de Lille
Eat: Brasserie Campion; Estaminet La CH’TITE BRIGITTE; Bistrot Brigand
Top Tour: 1-Hour Tour of Lille by Convertible 2CV
2 Days in Lille
Day 1 Itinerary
Breakfast at Paddo Caffe
For a not-so-traditional French breakfast, Paddo Caffe brings Australia to Vieux-Lille with its Sydney inspired brunch menu. From avocado toasts to stacked granola bowls topped with nut butters, the menu has everything you could want if you’re needing a break from buttery croissants.
They have a couple of locations in Lille – I went to their cafe at Treille park and snagged one of the outdoor tables with a view of the cathedral. It gets busy on the weekends, and they don’t take reservations, so you may have to wait if you arrive around peak brunch time.
Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral
Notre-Dame de la Treille is a striking cathedral that unexpectedly blends neo-Gothic and modern design. It took 145 years to build, and the architecture reflects the mix of styles from across the two centuries it spans.
What really makes it stand out is the front facade. A large glass panel and a modern rose window by artist Ladislas Kijno flood the space with light, softening the weight of the otherwise gray structure.
I know church fatigue is real when traveling, but this one is worth a stop.
La Vieille Bourse
In the heart of Lille’s Grand Place, the Vieille Bourse, or Old Stock Exchange, is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Built in the 17th century while under Spanish rule, the brick facade is covered in Renaissance-era details like hanging fruits, ribbons, and other decorated flourishes.
Vieille Bourse Book Market
Inside the courtyard of the Vieille Bourse, you’ll find a secondhand book market open Tuesday to Sunday from 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a variety of books, handwritten postcards, vintage posters, botanical prints, and random items like DVDs.
The selection can be a hit or miss, but a couple of sellers had some really nice posters and prints that I almost brought back to Paris with me.
Explore the Old Town
Old Town Lille is full of charm, with its Flemish-style brick row houses, cobblestoned lanes, and boutique shops around every corner.
Here are a few streets and squares that you should check out:
- Grand Place – The main square in Lille and a great spot to sit and people-watch.
- Place aux Oignons – One of the prettiest little squares in the old town.
- Passage des Arts – A tucked-away passage with galleries and shops.
- Rue de la Clef – Lined with boutiques and cafes.
- Rue de la Monnaie – A lively street perfect for strolling and shopping.
Stop for Lunch
Grab something quick for lunch. Bart-Foccacia makes loaded Italian-style foccacia sandwiches, stuffed with combos like mozzarella, tomatoes, salami, basil, and all the other Italian goodness.
There’s no shortage of bakeries in Lille, if you’re hoping to get a baguette sandwich on the go. You can stop into the very first Paul Bakery in France. It’s now a popular chain, but I still enjoy their sandwiches and salads.
La Piscine Museum
Your next stop takes you just outside Lille to the city of Roubaix. It’s a 30-minute metro ride from the center, but La Piscine makes the journey well worth it.
Housed in a former 1930s Art Deco swimming pool, this museum is one of the coolest I’ve visited in France – not just for the setting, but also for the well curated art collection.
The centerpiece is the original mosaic-tiled pool, flanked by sculptures and bathed in warm light from two large sunburst windows that reflect soft yellows and oranges onto the water.
In the old shower rooms, you’ll find exhibits of ceramics, textiles, and clothing. I was especially impressed by the ceramics collection, which includes pieces by Picasso and other modern artists.
For ticket prices and opening hours, visit the official website.
Getting there: Take the M2 metro line from Lille Flandres, near the main train station, to Gare Jean Lebas. It’s a short walk from here to the museum. You can purchase metro tickets at the station via cash or card
Dinner
For dinner, go with something local. We ate at Estaminet La CH’TITE BRIGITTE, a cozy, tavern-style restaurant that serves traditional northern French dishes.
We ordered a few things to share. The carbonade flamande, a hearty beef stew, was the dish I was most excited about, and it didn’t disappoint. Rich, comforting, and full of flavor. The poulet au maroilles was a table favorite – chicken cooked in a local cheese from northern France. It was definitely on the heavier side, but the flavor was so good. We also tried the flamiche, a savory stuffed pie, and went with the leek version.
Another spot we liked was Brasserie Campion. The food here is typical French fare. I had a light fish dish, and my husband ordered a croque monsieur-style crêpe, which we all loved.
For both restaurants, I recommend booking a table in advance.
Day 2 Itinerary
Breakfast at a Local Bakery
I had an unreasonable list of bakeries I wanted to try during my weekend in Lille. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to all of them, but there are a couple I’d recommend trying for breakfast.
Sylvana Briocherie Gonflée for their soft, pillowy brioche buns, or Oxalis et Bergamote for their viennoiseries and cakes. You might just have to go to both.
Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle
Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle is the birthplace of General Charles de Gaulle, one of France’s most important historical figures. On a quiet street in Old Lille, the restored 19th-century home offers a glimpse into his early life with period furnishings, family photographs, and personal memorabilia.
You can explore the rooms where de Gaulle spent his childhood and learn about his legacy through exhibits that trace his path from Lille to the French presidency.
Palais des Beaux Arts
The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille is one of the largest art museums in France and a must-visit if you enjoy museums. Housed in a grand Belle Époque building, the collection spans from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with works by Goya, Delacroix, Rodin, and others, plus an impressive sculpture gallery.
One of my favorite parts was the ceramics hall, filled with beautiful pieces of stoneware and porcelain from across Europe.
For opening hours and ticket prices, visit the official website.
Beffroi de Lille
Towering 104 meters above lille, the top of the Belfry is where you’ll find the best views of Lille. You can either climb the whole way up or take the elevator after the first 109 steps
Make sure to reserve tickets online in advance.
Marché de Wazemmes
The Marché de Wazemmes is a covered market that is open daily (except Monday), while the larger open-air market takes place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings.
If the weather’s nice, pick up some cheese, charcuterie, and fruit for a picnic lunch in the park.
Read also: One Day in Lille Itinerary
Stroll Through the Park
Grab your picnic goods and head to the park for a couple of hours. Jardin Vauban has a wide, open lawn that’s perfect for this. After lunch, make your way over to the nearby Citadelle park for a walk around the canals and wooded paths.
There’s also a small zoo and an active military fortress inside the grounds.
Méert
Méert is a confectionary shop that sells everything from chocolate and tea to pastries. They’re best known for their thin waffle filled with vanilla cream. We gave it a try and liked it, though I have to say, I preferred the pastries over the waffle.
I recommend grabbing a table inside their tea room and ordering a few pastries along with something to drink. I had the mocha, and my husband and friend tried the cold hot chocolate – surprisingly delicious, even though we were skeptical at first.
The tea room itself is beautiful, decorated with 18th-century details. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s worth stepping inside just to see the space.
Dinner
From bistro-style food to fine dining, here are a few restaurants to consider for your final night in Lille.
Make sure to reserve in advance.
Where to Stay
Staying in Old Town Lille is the best option for a short trip. Here are a few of my hotel picks:
- Clarance Hotel – A luxury five-star hotel with elegant rooms and top-tier service.
- Au Cœur de Lille – A charming boutique stay in the heart of the old town.
- Grand Hôtel Bellevue – Classic and well-located, right on the main square with beautiful views.
How to get Around Lille
You can easily get around Old Town Lille on foot. It’s compact, and everything is within a 10 to 20 minute walk. There is an underground metro system, but if you’re staying in the center, you probably won’t need it.
If you’re planning to visit La Piscine museum in Roubaix, you’ll want to take the metro to get there. You can purchase tickets at the metro station by cash or card.
The main train station is also very central – it’s only about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the main square.
How to get to Lille
The most convenient way to get to Lille for a day trip is by train. If you’re coming within France, take the train to Lille Flandres station, which is right in the center of town. If you’re arriving from the UK, you’ll take the Eurostar to Lille Europe station, which is a 10-minute walk from Lille Flandres.
If you’re flying in, Lille Airport is just a 15-minute drive from the city center, depending on traffic. You can also take the airport shuttle or hop on public bus #68 to get into town.
When to Visit Lille
Spring through fall is the prettiest time to visit Lille. We went in mid-June and had mostly rain and cloudy skies, but that’s pretty typical for the very north of France.
Because most of the activities here involve walking around and hopping between museums, really any time of year works. With that said, I do think Lille is at its best during the warmer months.
Grande Braderie de Lille: Every September, Lille transforms into one of the world’s largest flea markets for a weekend. If that’s something you’re interested in, plan your visit around those dates. But if flea markets aren’t your thing, I’d avoid that weekend – it’s extremely busy.