What to do in Lille: set off to discover the capital of Flanders

Lille, the capital of Flanders and the Hauts-de-France region, is one of France's top tourist destinations. With no fewer than 10,000 tourists per day and 3.5 million overnight stays sold in 2019, the city's vibrancy attracts travelers from all over the world and from all walks of life.

Thanks to a distinct cultural identity and contagious energy, Lille is bursting with activities to do and places to discover. Since we know it’s sometimes hard to know what to do in a new city, we’ve put together some itineraries for one or more days. Set off to discover the capital of Flanders with friends, family, or your partner. Welkeys, your bnb concierge service, is here to help!

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Visiting the city of Lille with your family

From this magnificent house in the heart of Lomme, about a fifteen-minute drive from Lille, live like a local in this home with the red brick facade typical of Northern architecture. With its 6 beds, the house can easily accommodate your family in a modern and minimalist setting.

Coming to Lille as a family means having to keep everyone occupied and adapting activities for both young and old. The city has successfully met this need through various excursions. Among others, we recommend heading to the Lille Citadel, one of the must-see places to discover. You can take a walk there with your little ones. Remember to bring a picnic that will delight your tribe after the walk works up an appetite. Following a good meal, you can rent small boats and sail on the waters of the Deûle. There is even a small amusement park for children!

After all that trekking, snack time will surely roll around, and what better than a delicious waffle to satisfy those sugar cravings? Head to Meert, one of the oldest Lille institutions, which is particularly famous for its incredible waffles. This final stop will certainly mark the end of a day rich in discovery for you and your children. The Sandman will surely be waiting for your kids back at the house for a well-deserved nap.

If you are staying in a vacation rental in Lille on a Sunday, we recommend taking a detour to Gare Saint Sauveur at noon or during the afternoon. This former freight station has been renovated to welcome the public of all ages and offers various events all year round. Between culture and leisure, there is something for everyone!

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Renting an Airbnb in Lille with friends

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Lille is also known as a university city. Indeed, many students make it their home during the school year and bring the city to life day and night. That’s why spending a few days in Lille with friends won’t be boring—quite the opposite! Stay in this splendid contemporary loft in the heart of Tourcoing, just a few minutes from Lille. Located in a former factory, this apartment can easily accommodate 6 people. Volume, space, and light are the watchwords of this property.

In terms of activities for a group of friends, the possibilities are almost endless. For fans of unique visits and history buffs, we recommend the Charles de Gaulle Birthplace, which you can visit in Lille. For those who prefer antiquity and all the masterpieces that stem from it, the Palais des Beaux-Arts will be the ideal place to make your eyes sparkle. Finally, for those who are more sensitive to contemporary art, Le Tripostal is the right place. The exhibitions change often and highlight today's artists.

To fuel up after all these visits, we recommend the estaminet Au Vieux de la Vieille. Located on a legendary square in Old Lille, you can taste all the specialties: maroilles tart, carbonade, welsh, potjevleesch, or even waterzoï. If you have a smaller appetite, the Wazemmes market will be perfect. There, do as the young locals do: come to shop and buy a roast chicken to enjoy on a terrace with a nice cold beer.

In the evening, the choice of bars is also almost infinite. However, depending on your mood, we have several recommendations. La Luck is perfect for those who love snack boards and board games. L’Hirondelle, a bar, restaurant, and brewery set in a former school, is perfect for hosting your convivial evenings with friends. Finally, you cannot leave Lille without having tasted the many beers brewed in the city. The Célestin brewery even offers tastings.

Spending a stay in a vacation rental in Lille as a couple

Lille is also a charming city to visit as a couple. This charming architect-designed studio in the heart of Lille is the absolute love nest. Both sober and warm, it is perfect for accommodating two people. It puts you in the center of Lille's amenities, shops, and leisure activities.

From this apartment, you can do everything on foot, and that’s a good thing because Lille is best explored by walking. Stroll through the streets hand in hand, get lost, and find the little treasures the city has to offer. Start your discovery in Old Lille, specifically at Place Louise de Bettignies. Continue toward the small streets of Old Lille, particularly Rue de la Monnaie or Place aux Oignons. Head back toward the center by crossing the Place de l’Opéra, the Vieille Bourse, and Place Rihour until you reach Place de la République. Be careful, though: cobblestones are king in Lille, so proceed at your own risk if you decide to wear high heels.

Enjoy a good coffee during this walk by first grabbing one at one of the many NottingHill Coffee shops in the city. For a romantic dinner while tasting regional specialties, head to Chez Raoul, an estaminet between land and sea. If you are more in the mood to have a drink in a unique setting, Le Quartier Libre, a few meters from the citadel, welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere. Finally, for rum lovers, one of the legendary spots is La Pirogue in Old Lille or Le Farafina in the Sébastopol district.

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As you will have understood, a vacation rental in Lille is synonymous with diverse and varied discoveries and visits. Welkeys supports you during your stays in Lille and offers its services there. Philippe, our local city manager, can't wait to welcome you!