France, a beautiful country that has surely made its way on the list of many travellers. However, the country has to offer more than the wonderful Eiffel Tower in Paris. Located in the northern part of France, Lille is a cultural hub and bustling university city with a rich history attached to it.
In this post we will be sharing with you our favourite things to do in Lille in this one day itinerary.
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According to the legends, the city was once a blooming and important merchant centre of French Flanders, and many Flemish influences remain till date to support this notion. It is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region which borders Belgium, hence the rich appearance of European style in the city. Also, the population of this magnificent city has its own version of history. It is the fourth most populated in France after Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.
Whilst listing the historical facts about Lille, there is one such interesting fact that has grabbed a subtle amount of attention. Nicknamed in France the “Capital of Flanders”, Lille and its surroundings belong to the historical region of Romance Flanders, a former territory of the county of Flanders that is not part of the linguistic area of West Flanders.
While you think about what to do in a day in Lille, we have gladly prepared an itinerary for you guys. Read on to know more!
Things To Do In A Day In Lille
- WALK THROUGH THE PORTE DE PARIS
- PLACE DE CHARLES DE GAULLE
- BOOK MARKET ON VIEILLE BOURSE
- OPÉRA DE LILLE
- NOTRE DAME DE LA TREILLE
- CITADELLE DE LILLE
- PALAIS DES BEAUX ARTS
Where to Stay in Lille
Explore Lille’s charming stays and choose your ideal hotel with the map below for an unforgettable experience.
1- WALK THROUGH THE PORTE DE PARIS
Porte De Paris has many stories attached to it but the one that majorly stands out is the historical effect it has made in France. This ancient gateway has served as the gateway to the sick and led them to the leper-house.
Mainly Porte De Paris was built for a very major reason. In 1682, architect Simon Vollant, ideated and constructed this marvel to celebrate Lille’s return to France and Louis the 14th’s triumphant entry into Lille, which he made in August 1667.
As per the look, the Porte De Paris has a semi-circular arch decorated with the royal arms and the arms of Lille surmounted by an imposing sculpted design of Victory crowning Louis the 14th. Witnessing the strong influence makes you wonder about the way Lille has made its mark in French history. Supporting this notion, you would find two pillars adjacent to this semi-circular arch. On either side, the two Doric columns flank Mars and Hercules, symbolizing the king’s warrior genius and his strength.
While you explore the Porte De Paris, you would notice a belfry across the street. A belfry is quite common in Belgium, hence this acts as proof of the European influence in a French location. Lille’s belfry can be seen by City Hall at the Place Augustin Laurent. Here you can click many photographs to enjoy a souvenir of the place.
2- PLACE DE CHARLES DE GAULLE
Exploring the beautiful city of Lille will make you come to the steps of Place De Charles De Gaulle. A bustling square is considered to be a historic and main square of the city. It is usually crowded with tourists and visitors since it is the main square where celebrations and events stake place.
What makes Place De Charles De Gaulle special is the mere fact that it is surrounded by eight major historical buildings amongst those remarkable European-styled buildings. A few of these include the old stock exchange building, the Great Guard, the Northern Theater, and the Building of La Voix du Nord. Making its mark in the list is the column of the Goddess which always leaves the spectators awestruck.
Place De Charles De Gaulle turns into a wonderland during winter and lights up during the Christmas season. A winter wonderland indeed!
One of the most tourist-friendly places to visit during your one-day trip to Lille.
3- BOOK MARKET ON VIEILLE BOURSE
A building which holds a lot of power in Lille is where the book market is housed against. A 17th-century building that was built around the 1650s and constructed when the city was under Spanish rule, was initially meant to be Lille’s stock exchange (La Vieille Bourse de Lille).
A look at the building and you’ll get the feel of Flemish Renaissance style. Supporting this style, the building consists of 24 houses built in an identical style with four wooden doorways leading into the inner courtyard. These houses were once the residence of the merchants who dealt there. Even today, the upper floors of the Vieille Bourse building remain private apartments.
The building eventually turned into the stock exchange around 1861. But it wasn’t until 1921 when the Chamber of Commerce was opened and Lille’s Stock Exchange was moved there. The bourse was renamed Vieille Bourse and the building was listed as a historic monument in the aftermath.
The market, in today’s date, has begun a revolution wherein book lovers from all over the world come down and have a gala of their own fantasy world. The market is home to a zillion variety of books, mainly of them are in French but are suitable for everyone out there. Apart from the books being in french, some are in English as well while some are written in Ch’ti, which is a local dialect of Northern France. Another interesting fact we learnt here was, in French, the booksellers are called bouquinistes and they can be found alongside the River Seine.
Apart from books, the market is a suitable location for people who are looking to buy other things, as suppose, some souvenirs. For instance, some of the things they can buy are historic prints, vintage newspapers, and Franco-Belgian comic books, amongst other things.
4- OPÉRA DE LILLE
One of the typical things to see in Lille is definitely the Opera house- OPÉRA DE LILLE located on Place du Théâtre.
There definitely isn’t necessary for you to go in and enjoy a show, but if you do, you would have lived a little bit of French life. If you didn’t go inside, the building itself makes it worth the trip. This neo-classical opera house was built from 1907 to 1913 and officially inaugurated in 1923.
5- NOTRE DAME DE LA TREILLE
The basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille or the Lille Cathedral holds a special place within French history. A Roman Catholic church and basilica in Lille and the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Lille, it is the perfect example of Gothic Revival architecture. That is why the cathedral is considered a national monument and is visited often.
According to the historical chapters, the church was built in honour of the Virgin Mary and takes its name from a 12th-century statue of the saint that has miraculous powers as said and ascribed.
During your day trip to Lille, visit the cathedral to experience the rich french history.
6- CITADELLE DE LILLE
One of Lille’s marvels includes the Citadelle De Lille. This humungous star-shaped fortress was designed by renowned 17th-century French military architect Vauban after France captured Lille in 1667, and completed in 1670.
As fantastic as it sounds, this magnificent marvel is wonderful when visited. In today’s date, the Citadelle now serves as the headquarters of the 12-nation, NATO-certified Rapid Reaction Corps – France. Being constructed with some 60 million bricks, visiting here is only accepted when done with a tour guide.
The whole structure is similar to going on for a run on the track since the 2.2km-long ramparts is central Lille’s largest public park, the Parc de la Citadelle, spanning 60 hectares. Also, the three main perimeter paths — sort of an inner, middle, and outer loop, when added together are nearly 10k!
The premises also include a zoo with 400 animals and an amusement park.
7- PALAIS DES BEAUX ARTS
On your day trip to Lille, you should visit the magnificent Palais Des Beaux Arts to experience the rich cultural history of France. Known as the “Louvre of Lille”, the museum of art holds an eminent place in French history. One of the largest art museums in France, and houses a collection of fine arts, modern art, and antiquities.
Built under the reign of Napoleon I, this museum of art opened its gate in opened in 1809. In today’s date, it is housed in a Belle Epoque-style building in the centre of Lille, while possessing the greatest treasures of all time. Its initial collection had works seized from churches and European territories occupied by the armies of Revolutionary France. If talked about in recent days, it holds over 70,000 works. It includes sculptures, paintings, drawings and ceramics by artists such as Raphael, Tissot, Rembrandt, Goya, David, Corot, Courbet, Delacroix, Monet and Rodin.
A true beauty indeed!
Before You Leave for France
Before you set off on your way to France, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to France. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Lille
If you’re planning a day trip to Lille, it’s important to choose the best transportation option to make the most of your limited time. Fortunately, Lille is a city that’s well-connected to other major cities across Europe, making it easy to get here by train, plane, or car. One of the fastest and most convenient ways to reach Lille is by high-speed train. Eurostar offers regular services between London and Lille, with a journey time of just over an hour. If you’re travelling from other cities in France or Belgium, you can also take advantage of Lille’s excellent rail connections, with regular trains departing from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Alternatively, if you’re planning to drive to Lille, be sure to leave early to avoid any traffic congestion. Lille has several paid parking spots, but the city’s compact size means that walking or cycling is the most practical way to explore. With so many transportation options available, it’s never been easier to plan a perfect day trip to Lille.
Where to Stay in Lille
Explore Lille’s charming stays and choose your ideal hotel with the map below for an unforgettable experience.
What to Pack for Your Trip to France
When preparing for your trip to France, it’s important to pack the essentials while also considering the local culture and weather. Firstly, make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes as you’ll likely be exploring charming streets, historical sites, and captivating cities. Additionally, pack versatile clothing suitable for both casual and dressy occasions. French fashion tends to be elegant and sophisticated, so it’s a good idea to pack a few stylish outfits. Don’t forget to bring a lightweight jacket or sweater, as the weather in France can be unpredictable, even during the summer months. For visits to religious sites or formal occasions, it’s respectful to pack a shawl or a scarf to cover your shoulders. Lastly, bring along a universal adapter to charge your electronic devices, as the plugs in France may be different from what you’re accustomed to.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around France, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for France
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your ultimate Lille one-day itinerary. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience in this trip.
If you are planning a France trip soon then check out our other France content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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