Lille: These are the 10 highlights of this insider tip in France

Hidden in the northof France , 225 kilometers north of Paris and not far from the Belgian border, lies a very special city: Lille. It's rarely on city travel bucket lists, yet it offers a wide range of attractions – from a picturesque old town to exciting museums and delicious French cuisine.

We reveal our ten highlights of Lille for your city trip.

Lille is easily accessible from Germany . For example, you can travel to Lille by train from Cologne or Frankfurt via Brussels or Paris. From Paris, the journey takes just an hour by TGV. Or you can fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle and take the train there.

The best way to start a visit to Lille is with a stroll through the old town.

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The best place to start your exploration of Lille is in the heart of the city: in the Old Town, or "Vieux-Lille." The cozy alleyways will transport you back in time, but also convey the spirit of modern Lille. There are well-preserved or beautifully restored facades in the typical Flemish style from the 17th century, as well as chic boutiques, concept stores, and bakeries. There you can sample the city's first delicacies.

Our insider tip: the square called Place aux Oignons, full of cafés and wine bars, where even locals like to stop by. It's so cozy that one coffee or glass of wine quickly turns into two. Culturally, in addition to the main sights we'll introduce below, the former Hospice Comtesse monastery is worth a visit, which will introduce you to the city's turbulent history.

Lille's Grand Place is home to some of the city's most beautiful buildings.

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In the heart of Lille, the unmissable Grand Place (Place du Général-de-Gaulle ) awaits you. The square is framed by the city's most magnificent architecture, including the Old Stock Exchange, which we'll introduce in more detail shortly, as well as the Théâtre du Nord and Le Furet du Nord – one of the largest bookstores in Europe .

In the center of the square stands the column with the so-called “Goddess,” which commemorates the siege by Austrian troops in 1792 – during the French Revolution.

The Grand Place is a popular meeting place for locals. The best place to observe the daily hustle and bustle is from the terraces of the many cafés and bistros. The square is especially beautiful in the evenings, when it and its buildings are bathed in warm light.

The Old Stock Exchange is one of the most beautiful buildings in Lille.

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La Vieille Bourse, or the Old Stock Exchange, is considered one of Lille's most beautiful buildings and a real eye-catcher on the Grand Place. Built between 1652 and 1653, it consists of 24 identical buildings framing an arcaded courtyard. The facades are lavishly decorated and, with their impressive stucco elements and sculptures, make for great photo opportunities. They are also a testament to typical Flemish Renaissance architecture.

You can visit the inner courtyard for free and stroll under the arcades. Another highlight is the book flea market, which takes place there almost daily, with a huge variety of books, some of them historical, postcards, and other vintage items. With a bit of luck, you can also attend chess games and art events in the courtyard of the Old Stock Exchange, and sometimes even a dance evening.

The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille is a must-see for art lovers.

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Did you know that the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Palace of Fine Arts) in Lille is considered one of France's top art museums? The museum is often even called the second most important of its kind – after the Louvre in Paris! The imposing Belle Époque-style building is a Lille landmark in itself – and inside, you'll find 22,000 square meters of magnificent halls and a unique glass ceiling.

The French and European art collection includes works from the 14th to the 21st century, from Baroque paintings to Romantic landscapes to realist works. Among them are world-famous artists such as Van Dyck, Rubens, Delacroix, Courbet, and many more. In addition to paintings, there are also sculptures and architectural models to admire – along with relief plans, i.e., miniature versions of historical views of French cities.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, it's also worth visiting the frequently held special exhibitions, which often focus on contemporary topics. Refreshments are available in the museum café.

The Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral in Lille stands out for its monumental architecture.

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One of the gems of Vieux-Lille is the neo-Gothic Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral. At first glance, it appears modern, with a monumental façade made of translucent stone, whose color changes depending on the lighting. Construction of the cathedral began in 1854 and lasted over a hundred years. Inside, the clean design is surprising: through the tall stained-glass windows beneath a high vault, light streams into the church and onto the statue of the Virgin Mary, to whom the cathedral is dedicated.

With a bit of luck, you might even be able to attend a concert in the cathedral, as they often take place there – sometimes as well as art events and exhibitions.

The bell tower of Lille offers the most beautiful view.

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Lille Town Hall is a top attraction for visitors to the city thanks to its 104-meter-high bell tower. Completed in 1932, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other notable bell towers in France and Belgium. You'll need to climb 109 steps to reach the most beautiful panoramic view of the city, but you can also take the elevator up.

No other location in the city offers such a beautiful 360-degree view of all of Lille's districts—and on a clear day, even as far as the Flemish mountains. The modern viewing platform also provides a wealth of information about the city's history, from its origins to contemporary developments.

The Citadel of Lille can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

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A trip to the outskirts of Lille is worthwhile: to the city's citadel, nicknamed the "Queen of Citadels," which is striking for its star shape. It was the Sun King Louis XIV who commissioned its construction in 1167 – originally as a military fortress. In fact, it is still in military use today. This masterpiece is the work of Sébastien Leprestre, Marquis de Vauban.

Nevertheless, the citadel remains a tourist attraction. Its architectural interest lies in the transition from Baroque to Neoclassical style during the 17th century. Its chapel is considered Lille's oldest Neoclassical building. This is one reason why the citadel has been a listed historic monument since 2012.

If you look closely, you'll notice the fortress's fleur-de-lis crests, crowns, and sun symbols, among other things. If you want to explore it in detail, we recommend a guided tour, as the citadel is otherwise not accessible to individuals due to its military use.

The Wazemmes market in Lille is considered one of the most beautiful in France.

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The Wazemmes market, located in the Lille district of the same name, is considered one of the largest and most interesting markets in France: It's more than just a simple grocery store full of vegetables, meat, and fish where you can watch locals do their weekly shopping. Rather, it offers a wide selection of clothing, household goods, and decorative items—some of which are also great souvenirs for loved ones back home.

The international market also offers a feast for the senses and culinary diversity, where you can sample a wide variety of snacks and dishes, from roast chicken to crêpes, from Asian street food to French macarons. The Marché de Wazemmes takes place three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings.

The birthplace of Charles de Gaulle is in Lille and is now a museum.

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If you'd like to follow in the footsteps of the world-famous general and later French President Charles de Gaulle, then Lille is the place for you. It's home to his birthplace, which now houses a museum, the Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle .

Charles de Gaulle was born there in 1890 at 9 Rue Princesse. Completely renovated in 2020, the house is listed as a historic monument and provides a general insight into the lives of upper-class families during the Belle Époque period. There's a permanent exhibition as well as regular special exhibitions. We also recommend a 13-stop city tour that delves deeper into the life and work of Charles de Gaulle. Simply follow the nails in the ground bearing the image of the famous Frenchman.

The Méert pastry shop in Lille is known, among other things, for its vanilla waffles.

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It's no secret that France is known for its excellent cuisine, and Lille is no exception. It's best to trust your sense of smell, especially if you catch a whiff of vanilla while strolling through town: It will most likely lead you to the Méert pastry shop, where, among other things, the delicious Gaufres de Méert, typical of Lille, are baked. These are thin waffles with a melt-in-the-mouth vanilla filling.

If you prefer something savory, we recommend Carbonnade flamande, a beef stew braised in beer and finished with a mustard sauce or even gingerbread. It's often served with French fries. Also typical of Lille is Flamiche au Maroilles, a savory cheesecake. As you can see, Lille is home to a variety of down-to-earth, yet extremely delicious dishes.

Beer lovers will also find something to their liking in Lille, as the city is known for its brewing culture and excellent craft beers. You'll find a wide variety of beers in all the brasseries and bars.

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