Your Essential Travel Guide To Lille
Discover Things To Do In Lille
The largest city in northern France, Lille is one of the country’s best-kept secrets and surprises many people with its impressive and striking architecture.
There are lots of things to do in Lille including museums, galleries, cathedrals, churches, historic buildings and monuments. To really make the most of your stay it might be well worth investing in a 24-hour Lille City Pass.
Lille Christmas market is also a must. Every December the city’s main square is taken over and transformed into a winter wonderland with a huge ferris wheel and Christmas tree as well as over 80 chalets.
Looking for a getaway to Lille with everything taken care of? Check out our fantastic Lille city break package, which includes both your ferry transport and hotel accommodation.
Getting there
Lille is located in northern France, within an hour’s drive of Dunkirk and just over an hour away from Calais, meaning either of our routes from Dover to France are convenient.
If you live in the north of England or Scotland then our Newcastle-Amsterdam route may be easier. You can drive from Amsterdam to Lille in approximately 3 hours from our IJmuiden port.
What to see in Lille?
The centre of Lille can be divided into three sections: Vieux Lille (the old town), Grand-Place (around the Place Général de Gaulle), and the République – Saint-Sauveur quarter. Beyond the centre are the towns of Villeneuve d'Ascq, where the LaM museum holds France's greatest modern art collection outside Paris, and Roubaix, which is home to the La Piscine art museum.
Lille is also famous for its Flemish architecture, the main square, Place du Général-de-Gaulle, better known as the "Grand'place", has many historic houses, like the neo-Flemish headquarters of local newspaper La Voix du Nord, and a fountain with the statue of a goddess, "la Grande Déesse".
Take a stroll through the Vieux Lille, and enjoy the cobble-stone streets, stylish designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and the modern Cathédrale Notre Dame de la Treille.
Visit Citadel of Lille, one of the most notable citadels.
Museums and gardens
There are plenty of museums in Lille. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is one of the largest museums in France. LAM, or the Lille Art Modern Museum houses modern and outsider art as well as pieces from Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Joan Miró, Georges Braque and more.
For families, Lille boasts an abundance of beautiful parks and gardens to explore and admire at your leisure. There’s the Botanical Gardens and Greenhouse, The Vauban Garden and the most popular of them all, the Citadel Park and Zoo which is free and houses around 400 animals.
Lille is also home to a young, cool population of students and young professionals, helping the city stay lively and varied both day and night.
Our routes to France
Dover-Dunkirk Ferry Crossings
Our short, convenient sailings from Dover to Dunkirk are the perfect way to start a trip to Europe.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings
Our fastest and most popular ferry crossing, our Dover to Calais route takes only 100 minutes, allowing you to explore Europe at your leisure.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Newhaven-Dieppe Ferry Crossings
Head across the Channel on our Newhaven to Dieppe route and in just 4 hours you can sail in comfort from the south of England to France's beautiful Normandy coast.
From
£93
per car + 2 people, one way*
Rosslare - Dunkirk Ferry
Sail between Ireland and France with DFDS on our new Rosslare – Dunkirk overnight ferry. With shopping onboard, comfy cabins and all meals included you can reach your destination ready to explore.
15%
discount
Travel guides
Lille City Break
Our Lille city break is the perfect package for those wanting to discover this charming French city.
Arras
Explore historic and architectural attractions in Arras in Northern France.
Normandy
Travel by ferry to Normandy and explore historical places to visit including picturesque towns and stunning coastline.
Prices are subject to availability. Telephone booking fees apply. Terms and conditions apply.