What to see and do on a day trip to Lille

Travel 3 Minutes

Slide 1 of 12: When in France, the classical way to start your day off is with having a nice traditional breakfast. France is most famous for its tasty, mouth-watering baked goods and you can find bakeries serving fresh, hot croissants and pain au chocolats everywhere you turn. Some of the most famous bakeries around the city center are the Boulangerie Brier, Patisserie du Lion d'Or and Maison Doucet.

Start your day with a traditional French breakfast

When in France, the classical way to start your day off is with having a nice traditional breakfast. France is most famous for its tasty, mouth-watering baked goods and you can find bakeries serving fresh, hot croissants and pain au chocolats everywhere you turn. Some of the most famous bakeries around the city center are the Boulangerie Brier, Patisserie du Lion d’Or and Maison Doucet.

Slide 2 of 12: After you've had some nice food, start your sightseeing tour in the main central square known as Grand Palace. The square is actually officially named Place du Général de Gaulle as a tribute to Lille's most famous resident, president Charles de Gaulle. Here you can gaze the 17th century Flemish buildings surrounding the square, creating an impressive sight. The square is a meeting point for locals and a famous hub for cafes and restaurants, so to get a glimpse of everyday life in Lille, sit at one of the nearby cafes, drink coffee and watch people pass by and admire the marvelous architecture around you.

2/12 SLIDES © Chris Dorney/123RF

Explore the heart of the city – Grand Palace

After you’ve had some nice food, start your sightseeing tour in the main central square known as Grand Palace. The square is actually officially named Place du Général de Gaulle as a tribute to Lille’s most famous resident, president Charles de Gaulle. Here you can gaze the 17th century Flemish buildings surrounding the square, creating an impressive sight. The square is a meeting point for locals and a famous hub for cafes and restaurants, so to get a glimpse of everyday life in Lille, sit at one of the nearby cafes, drink coffee and watch people pass by and admire the marvelous architecture around you.

Slide 3 of 12: The historic center of the city is known as Le Vieux Lille. It's characterized by colorful Flemish buildings, old redbrick houses and churches. Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets that are full of cafes, boutiques, souvenir shops and cute restaurants ideal for a light brunch. From luxury goods to delicacy shops and affordable clothing boutiques, Lille is famous as a shopping destination. In the neighborhood you'll find the Cathedral Notre Dame de la Treille, an impressive example of Gothic architecture. Streets are paved with stone and lined with impressive tall medieval buildings, making an ideal setting for a pleasant stroll.

3/12 SLIDES © : iloveotto/123RF

Wander around the streets of Old Town

The historic center of the city is known as Le Vieux Lille. It’s characterized by colorful Flemish buildings, old redbrick houses and churches. Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets that are full of cafes, boutiques, souvenir shops and cute restaurants ideal for a light brunch. From luxury goods to delicacy shops and affordable clothing boutiques, Lille is famous as a shopping destination. In the neighborhood you’ll find the Cathedral Notre Dame de la Treille, an impressive example of Gothic architecture. Streets are paved with stone and lined with impressive tall medieval buildings, making an ideal setting for a pleasant stroll.

Slide 4 of 12: Lille is famous for housing the largest flea market in Europe every year, taking place during the last week in August and the first week in September. If you're not in town then, don't be disappointed because Lille has some good markets open all around the year. The most famous farmers market is the vibrant Wazemmes market, open during the weekend. It's the prime spot in the city for buying fresh groceries and experiencing the city as a local. The market is a paradise for foodies, with famous French cheese at every turn and pastry shops serving warm baked goods. Flowers, antiques, material, souvenirs and almost everything you can think of can be bought here!

4/12 SLIDES © Olena Kachmar/123rf

Shop at bustling farmers and flea markets

Lille is famous for housing the largest flea market in Europe every year, taking place during the last week in August and the first week in September. If you’re not in town then, don’t be disappointed because Lille has some good markets open all around the year. The most famous farmers market is the vibrant Wazemmes market, open during the weekend. It’s the prime spot in the city for buying fresh groceries and experiencing the city as a local. The market is a paradise for foodies, with famous French cheese at every turn and pastry shops serving warm baked goods. Flowers, antiques, material, souvenirs and almost everything you can think of can be bought here!

Slide 9 of 12: Vieille Bourse or Old Stock Exchange is one of the most beautiful sites in Lille. The architecture of the landmark is just majestic as the building consists of 24 identical houses built around an arched courtyard. With its unique architecture and lavish ornament facade, it's dubbed as the finest building in the city. For the full experience, visit the Flemish masterpiece in the afternoon when booksellers sell second-hand books and locals play chess on the little square

9/12 SLIDES © Jordan Tan/123RF

Go book shopping in front of the Old Stock Exchange

Vieille Bourse or Old Stock Exchange is one of the most beautiful sites in Lille. The architecture of the landmark is just majestic as the building consists of 24 identical houses built around an arched courtyard. With its unique architecture and lavish ornament facade, it’s dubbed as the finest building in the city. For the full experience, visit the Flemish masterpiece in the afternoon when booksellers sell second-hand books and locals play chess on the little square
Slide 10 of 12: In Lille there's no shortage of amazing pastry and food shops. If you've gotten an afternoon sweet craving, there's a seemingly endless list of delicious patisseries. A must try in Lille is the Merveilleux cake, originating from Belgium and also very popular in France. As the name suggests, the cake is really marvelous and the typical desert to eat in this region of France. For the most famous waffles in town, visit La Maison Meert. Meert is a sweet-tooth's paradise, serving iconic waffle sandwich filled with vanilla cream. With an impressive selection of chocolates and pastries, this 170-year-old place is a bit pricey, but definitely worth the splurge!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a Merveilleux cake

In Lille there’s no shortage of amazing pastry and food shops. If you’ve gotten an afternoon sweet craving, there’s a seemingly endless list of delicious patisseries. A must try in Lille is the Merveilleux cake, originating from Belgium and also very popular in France. As the name suggests, the cake is really marvelous and the typical desert to eat in this region of France.
For the most famous waffles in town, visit La Maison Meert. Meert is a sweet-tooth’s paradise, serving iconic waffle sandwich filled with vanilla cream. With an impressive selection of chocolates and pastries, this 170-year-old place is a bit pricey, but definitely worth the splurge!
Slide 11 of 12: Lille's town hall is one of the most impressive landmarks in town, so it's no wonder it's protected by UNESCO. The beautiful Flemish-style building is crowned by an impressive 340 feet belfry that dominates the whole city. For the best picture-postcard view of Lille, climb 100 steps to the top of the building and enjoy the imposing panorama view.
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