The Wonders of Lille

Using the train, you can get to Lille in just a few hours from any main city of Europe. For example, from London you can be in this attractive old town in only an hour and a half. The trip is definitely worth is, as Lille is filled with wonderful attractions for everyone. Modern and old boutiques await you in the old center, stop at any of the many cafés in the pretty main square and do some people watching, visit the second largest art gallery in France, or chose from the many museums of Lille. There is something for everybody. And if you find yourself touring North France, keep in mind Expedia has cheap flights to Paris, which would be a great city to visit after Lille.

What is there to see and what not to miss on a short city break in Lille?

Grand Place

Everybody should start there visit with the Grand Place, which is the main square, the heart of the town. You can admire the 17th to the 20th century architecture, but the finest building of the square and arguably of the whole town is the Old Stock Exchange building situated just in front of the statue of the Goddess that dominates the center of the square.

Vieux Lille

From here, start to explore the old Lille, Vieux Lille, with its wonderful restored old buildings that bring you back to the old days of the past, as the buildings burst with exuberance and profusion of lovely decorations.

If you love museums, than Palais des Beaux-Arts is the place for you. It's Lille's museum of fine arts, impressing the visitors not only with the huge collection of European paintings, but also with the building in itself - an imposing 19th century palace.

Marché de Wazemmes

Try to plan your trip so you can visit the Marché de Wazemmes on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, with Sunday being the best and busiest day of the week. It's an open market that it's not to be missed while being in Lille. You can find here everything from fresh fruits to old and new books, perfumes or shoes. If it's lunch time, there are so many little pubs here where you can have some rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes and a glass of good French wine or beer.

La Braderie

But the best time of the year to go to Lille remains to be September, as this is the period when La Braderie takes place. It's the annual street fair for which a great number of people show up in Lille. So you have been warned. Be ready from some large crowds. The atmosphere is great, as locals and tourists have fun together, drinking, eating, dancing and of course buying all kind of suff for the loved ones back home.

And speaking about the loved ones, if you are looking for a Christmas gift, Lille is the place to be between the 21 November - 30 December, as the locals organize is the loveliest Christmas market around the Grand Palace and the Place Rihour.