A Long Weekend in Lille – What to See, Where to Stay & Eat
Lille might not be the first place that comes to mind for a weekend away, but it should be. A long weekend in Lille offers historic charm, Flemish flair, and some of the best markets, meals, and museums in northern France — all within easy reach of London.
In February 2023, we travelled to Lille to trace a thread of family history — and found ourselves completely taken by this under-the-radar gem. Easy to reach, full of character, and refreshingly ‘untouristy’, Lille turned out to be the perfect setting for a long weekend in northern France. Whether you’re here for the food, the history, or just a change of pace, here are a few of our favourite ways to spend a long weekend in Lille.
9 Things to Do on a Long Weekend in Lille
1. Wander the Old Town
Cobbled streets, painted facades, and a stylish mix of boutiques and high-end retailers including Louis Vuitton make this area a delight to explore. In the early morning or late evening, you’ll have the place to yourself.
The cobbled streets of old Lille
The path around the Citadelle, in Lille
3. Eat Like a Local
There are no shortage of places to eat in this city. You can stop for a coffee in the local tabac, dig into a mountain of Frites in their famous Friteries or have a long lunch, like we did at Estaminet Au Vieux De La Vieille. Or you can take a short walk to the Marché de Wazemmes and discover rows of food stalls with fresh ingredients and a place to sit and sample.
For dinner, we alternated between fuss-free and fancy, including a memorable night at Le Coke, a stylish spot inside a repurposed industrial building. You can opt for Michelin Starred dining with a few restaurants to try, or you can keep it local and low key. Skip down to find out where we ate.
4. Discover the Art Scene
Walking out from the Eurostar terminal you will pass "Romy," a sculpture by Xavier Veilhan, installed in front of the Lille-Flandres train which is pretty cool. If you like more traditional art then Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is worth a morning. Affectionately dubbed “the Louvre of the North,” the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is a beautiful space home to an impressive collection of European art. Highlights include Rubens’ Descent from the Cross, Daumier’s moody Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, and Jules Breton’s vast Village Wedding. One of the most haunting pieces we saw was The Massacre of the Innocents by Léon Cogniet — unforgettable in its stillness and horror. Even if you’re not a typical gallery-goer, the space alone is worth a visit.
You can also see some striking modern canvases at the Coke Restaurant.
5. Step Inside the Churches
The modern exterior of Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille hides a surprisingly peaceful and historic interior which is worth popping into. There are plenty of other small churches across the city offering quiet places that offer you a break from exploring. The video below shows you the outside of the church, whilst we were serenaded by a brass band. But were they in tune?
Panning across the front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral as a brass band play in front.
6. Soak Up the History
You’ll find architectural reminders of Lille’s past on nearly every street. The Opera and Old Bourse sit right in the main square. Inside the Bourse’s inner courtyard, booksellers set up daily — a lovely old-world touch. We didn’t make it to the Hospice Comtesse Museum, but it’s on the list for next time.
Stop for a game of chess, or browse the second hand books in Lille’s Vieille Bourse
7. Shop the Marché de Wazemmes
One of the largest markets in northern France, the Marché de Wazemmes offers fresh produce, cheeses, sausages, and all the colour you could hope for. On Sundays, it spills into the surrounding streets — with antiques, records, clothes, and more.
Just a few of the market stalls on a Sunday around Marché des Wazemmes, Lille
8. Take Photographs
The city’s mix of winter light and varied architecture made it a joy to photograph. Even the backstreets have character.
9. Walk Everywhere
Lille is compact and walkable. Everything we wanted to see was within a 15-minute radius. It felt safe and easy to explore on foot and we stumbled upon many unexpected spots of history and food. You won’t need to hire a car which makes it ideal for a long weekend getaway.
Is a Weekend Long Enough in Lille?
Absolutely. We stayed for four days and never once felt the need to leave the city. If we visited again we may spend just three days, or take a trip down to Bruges or elsewhere in Northern France, but we’re already planning our next long weekend in Lille.
Where We Stayed: Hotel Carlton Lille
A grand, historic hotel located steps from the Opera.
Walking into the Hotel Carlton, Lille. February 2023
Our junior suite came with a comfy bed and generous seating area, though there was only a bath (no shower) and limited wardrobe space. Still, it was peaceful, elegant, and the breakfast buffet was excellent
Our view was almost directly onto the gorgeous Lille Opera House, which looked beautiful throughout the day and night.
The beautiful Lille Opera House, viewed from our Junior suite at the Hotel Carlton Lille
📍 3 Rue Pierre Mauroy, 59000 Lille, France https://carltonlille.com/
Where We Ate in Lille
Our dining choices were a combination of pre-booked dinners and spontaneous lunches we stumbled upon while exploring the city. Whilst a few places stood out as favourites, we didn’t have a single bad meal the entire long weekend.
Papa Raffaele – Our Sunday night pizza spot. Busy, buzzy, and very tasty.
Restaurant Le Coke & Bar – High-end dining in a repurposed coke factory. Ideal for a special night.
Restaurant Solange – A contemporary bistro with seasonal menus and thoughtful wine pairings.
Brasserie André – Traditional, hearty fare and big tankards of beer. Ideal for night one.
Estaminet Au Vieux De La Vieille – A rustic lunch spot with regional specialties. Proper Lille.
Getting There
Lille is just 90 minutes from London via Eurostar. You’ll arrive at Lille Europe station, a short walk from the heart of the city. It’s also well-connected to Paris and Brussels by rail, making it an ideal base for a long weekend in northern France.