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Flemish architecture, beer, and unique gastronomy
- Just a stone’s throw from the Belgian border, Lille is famous for its Flemish architecture, beer, and unique gastronomy.
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Mar 4, 2022 · Just a stone’s throw from the Belgian border, Lille is famous for its Flemish architecture, beer, and unique gastronomy. If you’re visiting Lille for the France Rugby World Cup 2023, why not plan a few days before or after match day to take in the highlights of France’s “Capital of Flanders”?
- Zoë Smith
- Vieux Lille
- Marché de Wazemmes
- Town Hall
- Lille Citadel
- Lille Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art
- La Vieille Bourse
- Palais Des Beaux-Arts
- La Piscine Museum
- Nausicaá
- Grand Place
Also referred to as the Old Lille, the Vieux Lille is the central spot that displays the city’s lush history and heritage. With beautiful baroque architecture that heavily marks the city; be prepared to see upscale houses gorgeously restored as they stroll on attractive cobblestone streets. To maximize your time out, you can employ the services of ...
Weekends in Lille are the best, especially if you have much time to spare. Spend Sunday mornings at the active Marché de Wazemmes to discover hundreds of ships with many of local produce on display. You will find a range of items from food, antiques, ingredients, exotic products, to fabric. Thousands of people from different parts of the country co...
The Town Hall is one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site is splendid for many reasons, but its most captivating feature is the 104-m height. Incredibly exciting, seeing Lille from the top of Belfry, is worth multiple visits. Visitors will also see imposing Flemish architecture in great angles. They will also give the chance to see t...
The city’s cathedral is among its famous landmarks. It is a star-shaped military base that has been standing since the 1500s. The Lille Citadel remains a working fortress to the surprise of many. Hence, the prohibition of visitors from entering. But visitors can also check out the picturesque walls, bridges, and gates that ring the area. These make...
The city also has provisions for art lovers, and part of that is the Lille Museum of Contemporary Art (LaM). LaM boasts of an impressive collection of contemporary art from a wide range of artists. On display are the works of some popular artists like Joan Miró, Georges Braque, Picasso, and many more. Visitors will see the works of self-taught arti...
La Vieille Bourse is the city’s stock exchange destination built in the mid-1700s. The building still has its allure from then thanks to the brilliance of Julien Destrée, the popular architect. Today, activities and events are regularly held in La Vieille Bourse. When you visit, you will see many locals as they hang out, play chess, and step into a...
The Palais des Beaux-Arts is part of Lille’s landmarks. Visitors can spend their entire day or half-day discovering this big city museum designated for fine arts, modern art, and antiques. They can also appreciate a large array of collections from works made in the 15h-century to the 20th-century. From the manuscripts, visitors can see the works of...
La Piscine Museum is another popular landmark in Lille. The museum houses distinct textile art collected from some of the city’s coolest textile companies. These catalogs can be traced back to the 1700s and are delicately placed in a creative spot. There are sculptures that circle the museum, and the highlight of the museum, the indoor pool, amplif...
Nausicaá is the continent’s biggest aquarium, and visitors can watch a splendid sea lion show at the venue. It is home to about 58,000 animals and features exhibitions titled ‘Mankind and Shores’ and ‘Journey on the High Seas’. Given the thrill and frills of visiting here, a visit to Nausicaá is one of the perfect things to do while in Lille. If yo...
The Grand Place is at the city’s major square where locals often meet. On the active streets, visitors will be hemmed between tall buildings that beautify traditional Flemish architecture. In the region, visitors will also discover significant historic sites like the performing arts theater Theatre du Nord and the Voix du Nord. Visit the different ...
- Walk through the Porte de Paris and take a photo of the Mairie de Lille on the Place Augustin Laurent. The Porte de Paris (“Gate of Paris”) is an Arc de Triomphe built in the 17th century to commemorate Louis XIV conquering the city.
- Place de Charles de Gaulle. The Place Charles de Gaulle, named after the French general and later president De Gaulle who was born in the city, is the central square in Lille Old Town.
- Book market on Vieille Bourse. The Vieille Bourse or “Old Stock Exchange” is one of the places to visit in Lille. The building dates back to the 17th century and consists of 24 identical houses built around an inner square.
- Opéra de Lille. You can find the Opera of Lille on the Place du Théâtre. Even if you don't go in for a performance (we didn't), the building's facade is pretty impressive and when the weather's nice, you can see people sitting on the steps leading up to the entry doors.
- Old Lille. Lille’s historic district is a delight, with restored bourgeois houses on cobblestone streets. You’ll pick up on the city’s Flemish influence when you see the baroque architecture dating to the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Palais des Beaux-Arts. A simply enormous museum, Palais des BeauxArts is behind only the Louvre for size. It’s in a lovely Belle Époque summer palace from the end of the 19th century, and you may need as long as half a day to get the most out of the museum and its art from the 1400s up to the 1900s.
- La Vieille Bourse. Most agree that Lille’s old stock exchange is the finest building in the city. It dates to the mid-17th century and consists of 24 Flemish renaissance houses, all around a central arcaded courtyard.
- Grand Place. Lille’s expansive main square is the place where locals and tourists converge to meet up or see the sights. On all sides are wondrous old gabled buildings.
Feb 15, 2024 · Today, Lille is a thriving city that seamlessly integrates its historical past with its modern identity. Its picturesque old town, with its Flemish-inspired architecture, draws visitors into a maze of cobbled streets, charming squares, and historic sites.
Jun 14, 2019 · After lunch at one of the old town's enticing bakery-cafes, such as 1833-opened Boulangerie Brier, zip up the Unesco-listed belfry of Lille's Hôtel de Ville (town hall) for sweeping city views. Then spend the afternoon exploring one of France's finest arts museums, the 1892-inaugurated Palais des Beaux Arts.
Jul 31, 2023 · Sofía Pozuelo. UPDATED: 31/07/2023. Lille is a small yet charming city in northern France. Due to its close proximity to Belgium (around 18 kilometers), Lille showcases a blend of French and Belgian culture, evident in its architecture and cuisine.
