Book your plane ticket to Lille

The beautiful architecture, many lovely outdoor cafes and the vast array of shops make Lille more than worth your while for a great city break. Below you can read about the things you really must see during your weekend away to the Paris of the North. 

La Grande Place, the beating heart of Lille

The charming square that is La Grande Place forms this French city’s bustling centre. All the little streets in the historic centre lead to this point eventually. The square is encircled by stunning classical buildings; the eye-catchers being the old stock exchange and opera house. La Colonne de la Déesse, a beautiful fountain, adorns the middle of the square. La Grande Place is the ideal spot if you love architecture. Take a seat at an outdoor cafe and admire the marvellous buildings. If you visit in winter and find it too cold to sit outside, don’t dismay. In the winter months, the square is transformed into a fabulous Christmas market with charming stalls, an ice rink and a Ferris wheel. 

Eating, drinking and shopping in the historic centre

The historic centre ‘Vieux Lille’ is the most beautiful and pleasant district in the city. Wander through the charming streets and enjoy the picturesque shops, friendly outdoor cafes and stunning buildings that adorn this old centre. Make sure you leave some space in your luggage because if you love shopping, you will not believe your luck in Rue de la Monnaie. This street is filled with small clothes boutiques that you won’t readily find elsewhere. 

No lack of museums in Lille

Lille is also known for its beautiful museums. Most are in or around the centre and you can enter them for free with a Lille City Pass. The Palais des Beaux-Arts, or Palace of Fine Arts, is by far the most famous and most important museum in the city so make sure you don’t miss out. The museum houses an impressive collection and is even known as the second most important museum in all of France, behind the Louvre. It is where you can find art by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet. So if you love art, this is a city you must visit!