Lille City Breaks

A guide to Lille

Lille is like two cities in one, with its mixture of French and Flemish heritage, and with a journey time of only 1h40 from London Waterloo International, it is an ideal destination for a short break. The centre of Lille, despite being the fifth-largest city in France, is small enough to walk round, and this beautiful city was also one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2004. The city squares and gardens spring into life over the summer, making it an ideal time to visit. Sights to see include the watery sculptures at Roubaix's Piscine, and Maison de Folies (Mad House) in Wazemmes for art and a memorable steam bath in a former factory.

A shopper's paradise

Lille is a laid back city operating a relaxing pace, perfect for sightseeing and browsing. For shoppers, the futuristic Euralille, the region's premier shopping centre, the famous Wazemmes Sunday market and the many boutiques, designer outlets and department stores make Lille a fantastic destination, for hunting out a bargain or stocking up on French delicacies. Sunday is a vibrant day, with the market in full swing.

A great city for food lovers

Food lovers will not be disappointed in Lille, as there is a wide range of restaurants, brasseries and cafes serving everything from gastronomic cuisine, to moules and frites. The city oozes with French culture, however displays Flemish influences, too, with this reflected in the food available here. As a university city, Lille has a lively nightlife with bars, cafes, theatres and jazz clubs, most staying open until the early hours.