Food, Attractions & Hidden Gems
Looking for the best things to do in Lille, France? From historic streets and famous French waffles to speciality coffee shops and unique dining experiences, here’s our guide to exploring Lille as a family.
Lille might not be the first destination that springs to mind when planning a European city break, but after spending time exploring this beautiful corner of northern France with our two little girls, it’s definitely a city we’d recommend adding to your travel list.
With its charming cobbled streets, grand architecture, independent cafés and incredible food scene, Lille is the kind of city that’s perfect for a weekend getaway. It’s compact enough to explore on foot, full of character and offers a lovely mix of culture, food and quirky little discoveries along the way.
We visited Lille as a family of four, with Eliza and Maisie in tow, and wanted to experience a little bit of everything. From hunting down hidden gems in Vieux-Lille and sampling the city’s famous vanilla waffles to finding great coffee and discovering somewhere a little different for dinner, we soon found ourselves falling for the city’s relaxed atmosphere.
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend away, a family city break or a short trip from the UK, there’s plenty to keep you busy. In this guide, we’re sharing eight of the best things to do in Lille, France, alongside our favourite places to eat, drink and explore, plus some practical tips to help you plan your visit.
1. Discover the Smallest House in Lille
Sometimes, it’s the smallest discoveries that make the best travel stories!
One of the quirky little spots to look out for while exploring Lille is what’s often referred to as the Smallest House in Lille, a tiny-looking façade tucked away among the city’s historic streets.
It’s exactly the kind of place we love stumbling across when travelling. It doesn’t require a ticket, a booking or a big chunk of your day, but it gives you something unusual to look out for while exploring the old town.
Vieux-Lille is full of narrow streets, colourful façades and historic buildings, so rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, take your time wandering around and see what you discover.
It’s also worth double-checking the exact location before visiting, as the name is used informally in travel recommendations and can be difficult to pinpoint on a map.
Our tip: Combine your search with a wander around Vieux-Lille. Even if you’re travelling with children, it’s an easy way to enjoy the atmosphere of the old town without having to plan every minute of your day.
2. Try the Famous Vanilla Waffles at Méert
If there’s one food experience you shouldn’t miss in Lille, it’s a visit to Méert.
Dating back to 1761, this historic pâtisserie is one of the city’s best-known culinary institutions, famous for its delicate filled waffles. Its signature speciality is a thin, oval-shaped waffle filled with Madagascan vanilla cream.
Forget the big, fluffy waffles you might be used to. These are thinner, softer and deliciously indulgent, with a rich vanilla filling that makes them feel like a little taste of French luxury.
And the shop itself is just as impressive as the food. With its elegant historic interiors, Méert feels like stepping back in time, making it worth visiting even if you only have time for a quick look.
You’ll find it on Rue Esquermoise in Vieux-Lille, making it easy to combine with a walk around the historic centre.
You can buy waffles to take away or sit down and enjoy a slower coffee-and-something-sweet break. We always think sampling local specialities is one of the best parts of travelling, and this is a Lille tradition that deserves a place on your itinerary.
Our tip: If you’re visiting Lille for the first time, make Méert a priority. Pick up a box of waffles to take home, too, if you want to share a little of your trip with friends and family.
3. Admire the Lille Opera House & Grand Place
You don’t need to book a tour to appreciate some of Lille’s most impressive architecture. In fact, one of the best things to do is simply wander through the city centre and look up!
The Opéra de Lille is one of the city’s architectural highlights. Built in a neoclassical style in the early twentieth century, its grand façade and imposing columns make it a beautiful building to admire.
Just nearby is the Grand Place, officially known as Place du Général-de-Gaulle, one of Lille’s most recognisable squares. It’s surrounded by historic buildings, cafés and shops, and is a great place to stop for photographs or sit down for a drink while watching the city go by.
The nearby Vieille Bourse, the former stock exchange dating from the seventeenth century, is another highlight. Its ornate architecture and inner courtyard are well worth exploring if access is available during your visit.
We love destinations where the experience isn’t all about ticking off attractions. Sometimes it’s simply about wandering, discovering a beautiful square and stopping whenever something catches your eye.
That’s particularly true in Lille, where so many of the historic sights are close together.
Our tip: Visit the Opera House, Grand Place and Vieille Bourse together. They’re close enough to make a lovely little walking route through the heart of Lille.
4. Visit Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral
Another place worth adding to your Lille itinerary is Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille, in the heart of Vieux-Lille.
What makes this cathedral particularly interesting is its unusual combination of traditional Gothic architecture and a striking modern façade. The front of the building uses translucent marble, creating a contemporary appearance that contrasts with the historic architecture surrounding it.
It’s a little different from the grand, ornate cathedrals you might expect to find elsewhere in France, and that contrast is exactly what makes it worth seeing.
Inside, the cathedral offers a quieter place to pause during a busy day of sightseeing. The surrounding streets are also among the prettiest in Lille, with traditional buildings, small shops and cafés tucked into the historic quarter.
If you’re interested in architecture or photography, it’s well worth taking your time here rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph.
Our tip: Combine the cathedral with exploring Vieux-Lille and a visit to Méert. It’s an easy way to see several of the city’s highlights without spending the whole day travelling between attractions.
5. Explore the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
If you enjoy museums, art or history, make time for the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille.
Located on Place de la République, this impressive nineteenth-century building houses one of France’s most important fine arts collections outside Paris.
Inside, you’ll find European paintings, sculptures, ceramics and other works spanning several centuries. The collection includes works by celebrated artists such as Rubens, Goya and Delacroix, making it a great option for anyone looking to add a cultural experience to their city break.
Even if you’re not usually someone who spends hours in art galleries, the building itself is worth seeing. Its grand architecture makes it an attraction in its own right.
Travelling with young children means we sometimes need to be a little more selective about museums, but it’s great to know Lille offers cultural experiences alongside its food scene and historic streets.
If you’re visiting as a family, check the current exhibitions, opening times and family activities before you go. The museum also offers dedicated experiences for younger visitors at certain times.
Our tip: Allow a couple of hours if you want to explore the collections properly. If you’re short on time, you can still admire the impressive exterior and the surrounding Place de la République.
6. Grab a Vietnamese Coffee at Viet Coffee
As anyone who follows our travels will know, finding a good coffee shop is always high on our list when exploring somewhere new!
One place to look out for in Lille is Viet Coffee, a Vietnamese-inspired café offering something a little different from your usual coffee stop.
Vietnamese coffee is an experience in itself. Traditionally made with strong coffee, it can be served with condensed milk or prepared in more distinctive styles, including egg coffee and salted cream coffee.
Having spent plenty of time travelling around Southeast Asia over the years, we’re always drawn to places that bring a taste of another destination into a new city. Vietnamese coffee in the middle of northern France is a lovely example of that.
It’s a great option if you fancy trying something different from your usual flat white or cappuccino, and it makes a good stop during a day of sightseeing.
Our tip: Check the café’s current location and opening hours before visiting, and try one of the Vietnamese-style drinks if they’re available. It’s a fun way to add a different flavour to your Lille food itinerary.
7. Take a Coffee Break at Latte
Another café to look out for when exploring Lille is Latte, which is worth considering if you’re looking for a speciality coffee stop during your visit.
Sometimes, you don’t need a big attraction or a carefully planned activity. You just want a good coffee, somewhere comfortable to sit and a little break before heading off to explore more of the city.
That’s one of the things we enjoy most about travelling: finding local cafés, taking a breather and watching everyday life unfold around us.
And when you’re travelling with two young children, these little pauses become even more important! A coffee stop can be the perfect opportunity to recharge, let the girls have a rest and plan where we’re heading next.
If you’re a fellow coffee lover, it’s always worth checking out independent cafés wherever you go. They can be a great way to discover a different side of a city beyond the main tourist attractions.
Our tip: Check the latest opening hours and menu before heading over, particularly if you have a specific drink in mind. You can then fit your coffee stop around the sights you’re visiting nearby.
8. Immersive Dinner at Magmatic by Ephemera
Now for something a little different!
If you’re looking for a restaurant in Lille that offers more than just a meal, Magmatic by Ephemera is an experience worth investigating.
The concept centres around an immersive, volcano-inspired setting, using atmospheric lighting and visual effects to create a dramatic dining environment. Rather than simply sitting down for dinner, the idea is to make the surroundings part of the experience.
We always enjoy discovering restaurants that do something a little different when travelling. Food is such a big part of experiencing a destination, and a themed restaurant can be a fun change from the usual dinner out.
It’s also an interesting option if you’re looking for something memorable to do in Lille in the evening.
If you’re visiting with children, I’d recommend checking the current concept, menu, age suitability and booking details before you go. Immersive lighting and effects can be exciting for some children but overwhelming for others.
Our tip: Book ahead if you plan to visit, and check the restaurant’s latest information before making it part of your itinerary.
More Things to Do in Lille if You Have Extra Time
The eight places above are a great starting point, but there’s plenty more to discover if you’re staying for a full weekend or longer.
Here are a few additional attractions worth considering:
- Vieux-Lille: Spend more time wandering the historic streets, browsing independent boutiques and discovering traditional cafés and restaurants.
- Vieille Bourse: Admire this beautiful seventeenth-century building and explore its courtyard when open.
- Lille City Hall Belfry: If you’d like panoramic views across the city, check the visitor arrangements for the UNESCO-listed belfry.
- Citadel of Lille: Enjoy a walk through the green spaces around this historic fortification, designed by Vauban.
- Wazemmes Market: If your visit coincides with market days, explore the lively stalls and sample some of the city’s multicultural food offerings.
Lille has a lovely balance of architecture, food, culture and outdoor spaces, so you can tailor your itinerary to suit your interests and how much time you have.
How to Spend One Day in Lille:
Our Suggested Itinerary
If you’re visiting Lille for a day or planning a short weekend break, you can fit several of these places into one relaxed itinerary.
Morning: Explore the Historic Centre
Start in Vieux-Lille and spend some time wandering its cobbled streets and admiring the architecture. Visit Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille, look out for the Smallest House in Lille and make your way towards Méert for one of its famous vanilla waffles.
From there, head towards the Grand Place, the Opera House and the Vieille Bourse.
Lunchtime: Stop for Food and Coffee
Take a break for lunch before continuing your sightseeing. If you’re a coffee lover, use the opportunity to visit Viet Coffee or Latte, depending on opening times and what you’re in the mood for.
The best part of exploring a city like Lille is that you don’t need to plan every meal in advance. Leave yourself a little flexibility to discover somewhere that catches your eye.
Afternoon: Art, Culture and a Slower Pace
Spend the afternoon at the Palais des Beaux-Arts if you’d like to explore Lille’s cultural side. Alternatively, enjoy more time browsing the shops and cafés around the historic centre.
If you’re travelling with children, build in time for snacks, rest stops and a little unplanned exploring. We’ve found that a more relaxed itinerary usually makes family city breaks much more enjoyable.
Evening: Dinner Somewhere Different
Finish your day with a memorable meal. If the concept and atmosphere suit your group, Magmatic by Ephemera could be a fun option to consider.
Otherwise, explore Lille’s traditional restaurants and estaminets for a taste of the region’s local cuisine.
You won’t fit absolutely everything into one day, but this route gives you a good mix of Lille’s most appealing sights, food stops and experiences.
Is Lille Worth Visiting with Kids?
Absolutely. We found Lille a lovely destination for a family city break, particularly if you enjoy exploring on foot, trying local food and discovering a mix of historic attractions and independent cafés.
One of the biggest advantages is that many of the main sights are clustered around the city centre and Vieux-Lille. That means you can explore at a relaxed pace without constantly needing to use public transport.
Of course, every family is different, and not every museum or restaurant will suit every age group. With young children, we find it helps to mix sightseeing with plenty of breaks and leave room for spontaneous discoveries.
A pastry stop, an interesting building or a little wander through a pretty square can sometimes be just as memorable as the big attractions.
If you’re planning a trip with children, I’d recommend checking opening times, accessibility and any age restrictions before visiting individual attractions.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Lille, France
Before you go, here are a few things worth keeping in mind when planning your trip.
Explore on foot. The historic centre and Vieux-Lille are ideal for wandering, and walking is one of the best ways to appreciate the architecture and atmosphere.
Try the local specialities. Méert’s vanilla waffles are a classic, but leave room to explore Lille’s wider food scene, including traditional northern French dishes.
Leave time for coffee. Independent cafés are part of the fun, particularly if you enjoy discovering places beyond the main tourist attractions.
Check opening times in advance. Museums, cafés and restaurants can have different opening days and seasonal hours, so confirm the details before travelling across the city.
Don’t overpack your itinerary. Lille is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. Choose a few must-see places and leave time to wander.
Consider the Lille City Pass. If you plan to visit several paid attractions, compare the current pass options and included benefits against your itinerary before purchasing.
Final Thoughts: Is Lille Worth Visiting?
For us, Lille was a lovely reminder that you don’t always need to travel far or visit somewhere famous to have a memorable city break.
From its beautiful historic architecture and charming streets to its famous vanilla waffles, independent coffee shops and quirky dining experiences, there are plenty of fantastic things to do in Lille, France.
We particularly enjoyed the balance between sightseeing and simply enjoying the city at our own pace. Travelling as a family of four meant we weren’t racing around trying to see absolutely everything. Instead, we focused on discovering new places together, enjoying good food and making the most of our time away.
Whether you’re planning a weekend away as a couple, a family trip to northern France or a short European escape, Lille is well worth considering.
And if you do visit, make sure you leave room for a vanilla waffle at Méert. Some travel recommendations are worth taking seriously!
Have you visited Lille? Let us know your favourite places to explore, eat and drink in the comments. We’re always looking for new ideas for our next adventure.
Happy travels!
