Lille 3 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Exploring the Historic Center

  • Morning:

    1. Check-in at Hotel Carlton Lille (Rue de la Monnaie 38, 59000 Lille) - a historic luxury hotel in the heart of the city.
    2. Grab a quick breakfast at Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Taillevent (10 Rue des Bouchers, 59000 Lille).

  • Afternoon:

    1. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille) - one of the largest and most important fine arts museums in Europe.
    2. Explore Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), a beautiful 17th-century building with 40 tiny houses lining its inner courtyard.
    3. Walk through the picturesque Rue des Bouchers, known for its seafood restaurants and traditional Flemish architecture.

  • Evening:

    1. Dine at Aux Ours (28 Place du Théâtre, 59000 Lille) - a Michelin-starred restaurant serving contemporary French cuisine.
    2. End the day with a drink at La Madeleine (Rue de la Madeleine, 59000 Lille), a lively bar in a historic setting.

Day 2 - Discovering Modern Lille

  • Morning:

    1. Have breakfast at Le Petit Marché (4 Rue du Marché des Blaires, 59000 Lille).
    2. Visit the Lille Metropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art (La Maison Folie Wazemmes).

  • Afternoon:

    1. Explore the Wazemmes district known for its vibrant street art, vintage shops, and alternative cafes.
    2. Visit the Citadelle de Lille - a massive 17th-century fortress offering panoramic views of the city.

  • Evening:

    1. Dine at Aroma (5 Rue des Bouchers, 59000 Lille) - a restaurant serving creative dishes with North African influences.
    2. Visit La P’tite Place (13 Rue de la Madeleine, 59000 Lille) for live music and a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 3 - Day Trip to Flanders

  • Morning:

    1. Take the train from Lille Europe Station to Ypres (Ieper), Belgium.
    2. Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, dedicated to World War I history.

  • Afternoon:

    1. Explore the medieval town of Bruges (Brugge), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    2. Take a boat tour along Bruges’ canals and see the city’s famous landmarks.

  • Evening:

    1. Return to Lille and have dinner at La Famille (9 Rue de l’Abbé-Xavier-Arnoult, 59000 Lille) - a cozy restaurant serving French classics.

Things to Know:

  • Lille is well-connected by train with major cities in Europe like Brussels, Paris, and London.
  • The city is easily explored on foot or by bike.
  • English is widely spoken, especially in the tourism industry.
  • Tips are included in most bills, but rounding up is appreciated.

Transportation: Lille has an extensive public transportation system including trams, buses, and metro. A Lille Mobilis ticket gives unlimited travel on all networks for a day, a weekend, or a week.

Tips:

  • Try the local specialties like Waffles, Carbonnade flamande (beef stew), and Moules-frites (mussels and fries).
  • Don’t forget to visit Lille during its annual Grand Braderie, a huge flea market that takes place over three days in August.