Your Essential Travel Guide To Lille

Lille's impressive cathedral, the Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille, is a must-see landmark. Construction of this neo-Gothic building began in the mid-19th century, but due to financial issues, it wasn’t completed until 1999. Sculptor Georges Jeanclos used a barbed wire motif to represent human suffering and dignity when facing life's hardest challenges.

The Palais des Beaux-Arts is France's second-largest museum after the Louvre and boasts an invaluable artistic heritage. The architecture is an attraction in its own right – a splendid summer palace from the Belle Époque. It’s home to over 70,000 artworks from the 16th to the 20th centuries by masterminds like Donatello, Tissot, Goya and Rembrandt.

The Hospice Comtesse Museum is one of Lille's finest museums. The hospice was built in 1236 by Joan, the Countess of Flanders, while the present building was designed in the 1600s during Lille's Golden Age. The museum hosts an extensive collection of tapestries, paintings, and other artefacts from 400 years ago.

French military engineer Vauban designed the Citadelle on the orders of Louis XIV after conquering Lille in 1667. The star-shaped fortress comprises three million stone blocks and 60 million bricks and is still occupied by the French army today. Visits are only allowed via guided tours.

If you visit Lille at Christmastime, don't miss its beautiful markets. Lille’s Christmas markets are among France's best, boasting family-friendly attractions and local goods.

Learn more about the best French Christmas markets in our guide and spend the holiday season in style.

Wondering where to stay in Lille? Find our top picks for the best 3 and 4-star hotels below:

• Best Western Hôtel Le Beffroi On Lille's southern outskirts, Best Western Hôtel Le Beffroi enjoys spacious, airy rooms equipped with a coffee machine, a snack bar and a flat-screen TV. The hotel also has a convenient 24/7 reception and an on-site car park.
• B&B HOTEL Lille Centre Grand Palais Next door to Lille's Grand Palais, this 3-star hotel is ideal for leisure and business trips. The ample rooms benefit from a desk, a wardrobe and a TV. Guests can enjoy the all-you-can-eat breakfast and on-site car park. And if you have pets, you can bring them along for a small extra charge!
• Mama Shelter Lille A stone's throw from Lille's train station, Mama Shelter Lille boasts a quirky design, comfortable rooms and state-of-the-art facilities. The hotel is family-friendly and suitable for guests with disabilities, with a lift to all floors and wheelchair access.

• Grand Hôtel Bellevue Enjoy stunning views of Lille's Grand Place at the Grand Hôtel Bellevue. The 64 rooms benefit from natural light, a desk and a wardrobe. Facilities include a 24/7 reception, a private car park, and a restaurant.
• Couvent des Minimes de Lille This 4-star hotel in the heart of Lille has 75 rooms and 8 suites served by passageways around an ample courtyard. Enjoy a fine-dining restaurant, laundry service, private parking, and pet-friendly facilities while close to Lille's best attractions.
• Boa Hôtel - BW Signature Collection - Lille Centre Gares The Boa Hôtel enjoys a unique décor, with 27 modern rooms, a stylish bar and spacious meeting rooms. It sits in Lille's Old Town, meaning you can access the main attractions in no time.

Each of the accommodations listed provides a unique Lille experience and can be booked along with your journey to France in our convenient, all-in-one Lille City Break package.

Food enthusiast? You're not alone! Lille's culinary scene is second to none. Some of Lille's best restaurants include:

• Ripaille (£). This modern restaurant in the heart of the Old Town offers traditional dishes at affordable prices. Ingredients are locally sourced and change seasonally, meaning the quality is always first-class.
• Bloempot (££). Originally a carpentry workshop, Bloempot represents Flemish cuisine at its finest. The food is sourced from local farmers, and the menu varies! You pay a fixed price, and the chef surprises you with a meal of their choice.
• Pancook Lille (££). Pancook combines flavour and value, creating an unforgettable dining experience. The highlight is the Pancook, a hollowed-out bread stuffed with meat, fish, or vegetables, then topped with cheese. A feast for the senses!
• Le Jane (£££). This fine-dining venue serves traditional food with a modern twist, complemented by an impressive selection of wine and cocktails. If you love this restaurant, why not book a stay at Hotel L'Arbre Voyageur?
• La Table (££££). Chef Thibaut Gamba runs this Michelin-starred restaurant, perfect for celebrating a special occasion. There are two lunch and two dinner menus, each focusing on French seafood specialities and featuring vegetarian options.