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Things to do in Lille

Located just 10 miles from the Belgian border, Lille is the tenth largest city in France and has been named as the capital of the country’s Hauts-de-France region – so it’s kind of a big deal!

Whether you love to spend your break discovering the history of your chosen destination, or taking part in a fun activity, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Lille that are sure to keep you entertained during your trip.

Driving from Calais to Lille takes around 70 minutes which makes it an ideal city for a day trip or short break. Plus, if you're travelling by car take advantage of more freedom and peace of mind by upgrading to one of our Flexi tickets. Allowing you to take the scenic route home at a leisurely pace, our Standard Flexi and Fully Flexi tickets give you greater flexibility to your departure time so you can enjoy even more of Lille during your trip!

Find out more about things to do in Lille below and book your crossing today!

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Cultural spots
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Food activities
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Town hall
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Lille Zoo

Things to do in Lille

Cultural Spots

If you like to hunt out a bit of culture on your holidays you won’t be disappointed with what Lille has to offer. Due to its close proximity to Belgium, Lille’s Old Town boasts a mix of French and Belgian architecture so you’ll have a great time admiring the beautiful baroque style buildings as you wander around the cobblestone streets.

The city’s star-shaped citadel is certainly worth a visit. It is still used as a French military base today so you are unable to see inside, but you can get a good view of the gates and outer walls when you are in the area. This landmark is particularly impressive because of the materials used to build it, including 3 million stone blocks, 70,000 lumps of sandstone, and 60 million bricks!

Art lovers must head to the Palais de Beaux-Arts, a very large museum full of artwork by well-known artists such as Monet, van Gogh, Donatello, and Picasso. Set in a grand summer palace, this museum is also home to the plans-reliefs, a collection of 17th – 18th century models of Belgian and North French cities, including Lille itself!

Food Activities in Lille

It isn’t a holiday in France unless you are trying lots of delicious French food, and when you spend time in Lille you will find that there are a number of food-related activities that you can take part in which will enable you to really enjoy the city’s cuisine.

Challenge yourself in a hands-on cooking class where you will prepare your own dinner with the help of a professional French chef. The class is located in a typical home in the central district and you will also be treated to wine and dessert as part of the package.

If you’d prefer to eat other people’s cooking, take a tasting tour around Lille and try some of the city’s top delicacies. During this activity you will be driven to some of Lille’s best-loved eateries where you can try a number of treats, including waffles, beers, and chips!

Lille’s Town Hall

Visible from around the city, Lille’s Town Hall has a 104 metre belfry which towers above the majority of the other buildings. The Town Hall itself is inspired by the traditional triangular-gabled Flemish houses that you will see around you, and the belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For stunning views of Lille and beyond, you can climb the 400 stairs to the top of the belfry, or maybe take the lift if that sounds like hard work! There’s also the chance to purchase an audio guide or rent a pair of binoculars to make the experience even more enjoyable.

Visit Lille Zoo

Lille Zoo offers fun for all the family, so why not head here during your trip and find out all about their conservation efforts and breeding programs, plus meet the animals too!

Lille Zoo is home to a whole range of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including alpacas, boa constrictors, sloths, red pandas, peacocks, tapirs, and rhinos to name just a few. You will also find plenty of entertainment options, activities, and workshops to keep you occupied during your visit.

With so many things to do in Lille, it is definitely time for you to take a trip here and discover it all for yourself. So don’t delay and book your ferry to France today!

Discover plenty of things to do in Lille no matter if you love history, eating and drinking, or are looking for family-friendly activities

Top attraction to see in Lille

Lille City Tour

Chamonix . France

Discover the city of Lille on a 75-minute convertible coach tour. See Lille's monuments, including the opera house and town hall, on this comprehensive tour of the 4th largest city in France.

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National Sea Life Centre Tickets

Lille . France

Dive into the unknown seas in Europe's biggest aquarium. Explore fascinating exhibitions like the Journey on the High Seas and Mankind and Shores, in addition to countless beautiful marine species.

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2-hour guided walking tour

Chamonix . France

Embark on a 2-hour walk in Vieux Lille with a qualified guide, on the trail of the town's history as well as its heritage. Spot the old town’s main sights and monuments and hear fun facts and anecdotes about life on the charming cobbled streets.

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