This city has a huge variety of things to see and do. Plus, its convenient location makes it a perfect launchpad for exploring wider France.
Just hop in your rental car from Lille, and begin your odyssey.
Retail rituals
Shopping in Lille can be a dream-like experience: just picture traditional French boutiques, luxury brands and tiny chocolatiers.
Place General de Gaulle is the ideal spot to enjoy retail the traditional way. Regular markets are tucked in between the exquisite architecture and museums dedicated to the statesman who gave the square its name.
These markets shift with the seasons, becoming carpeted in flowers during April and an icy wonderland during December, but the bronze ‘Goddess’sculpture remains a constant icon of the square throughout.
Old Lille is another key shopping destination, where narrow cobblestone streets provide a fairy-tale backdrop. There are small fashion stores of every kind here – vintage, designer and quirky.
If you’re looking for conventional, modern retail meanwhile, head to the bright lights of Euralille for department store delights. This huge complex is brimming with boutiques and restaurants.
Celebratory France
For such an elegant destination packed with historic Flemish buildings, you might be surprised to learn that Lille loves a party. You won’t need to wander for long to find a carnival, parade or traditional celebration in this corner of France.
The Braderie de Lille is one of the biggest events on the calendar: an annual open-air flea market dating back to the 12th century. Expect to see passionate performers and a colourful crowd. The French love of culinary pleasures filters into the city’s party calendar too – there is even an annual soup festival here.
Learn a Lille history
Even if you aren’t a history fanatic, Lille’s alluring tales are impossible to resist. From the city’s supreme architecture to its border-side location, echoes of the past are everywhere you drive.
The neo-gothic Lille Cathedral was constructed through the 19th and into the 20th century, but inside you’ll find treasures from much further back, including an important religious statue of the city’s patron saint.
Vieille Bourse is perhaps the most notable historical building – a Spanish-influenced Chamber of Commerce that today houses quirky events such as chess tournaments, tango dances and book fairs.
The Citadel of Lille meanwhile is a 17th-century military fort, and an artistic masterpiece. Today you can walk in the former moat, so it’s well worth a visit after you have experienced the city’s wild side at Lille Zoo.
Art and culture
According to legend, Lille was founded by giants long ago, and the Jardin des Geants celebrates this tale. The luscious idyll is positioned between high, glassy buildings, with sculptures and hidden places to relax.
Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is the city’s premier cultural attraction, since its fine art collections are almost unparalleled. From antiquities to modern art and the finest brush strokes you can imagine, this centre is incredibly easy on the eye.
A charming selection of events means you can visit again and again and get a unique experience each time. Why not try a guided tour to enrich your cultural side?
Rent a car in Lille to wind through layers of history, luxury and incredible art. Reserve direct today, and plan your French adventure.
