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The hops are flowing ... Lille Beer Festival

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When Lille gets the party started!

Lille is no joke when it comes to conviviality. Or beer, for that matter. Every autumn, the Lille European Metropolis lives to the rhythm of the hops.

With Bière à Lille – le BAL, beer culture is everywhere: in bars, estaminets, cultural venues and even on the streets. It’s an effervescent, festive and curious festival, celebrating craft beer in all its forms – local, creative and convivial.

For several days, the whole city becomes a hop-filled playground, with tastings, workshops, meetings, concerts… and a festive atmosphere that makes both bubbles and smiles sparkle.

🍺 A festival, meetings, breweries and a Northern passion.

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What is Bière à Lille?

Created in 2017, BAL has established itself as one of the must-attend events on the French brewing scene.

The entire metropolis is transformed into a playground for lovers of suds: tastings, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, participatory brews… Each edition gets the region buzzing to the rhythm of the tappers and good humour.

The highlight?

The Grand Final, held at the Gare Saint-Sauveur in Lille, brings together nearly 70 French and international breweries.

In 2025, Spain is the guest country, for a weekend combining discovery, gastronomy and culture.

BAL is a joyful way of telling the story of today’s beer: creative, local and proudly metropolitan.

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©Bal Poster 2025 Version 02 1

What are the dates of the Lille Beer Festival?

The Lille Beer Festival runs from 17 to 23 November.

For seven effervescent days, the streets of Lille will be transformed into a huge playground for lovers of suds, conviviality and discovery.

And above all, the Closing Weekend… 2 days of fun and froth at the Gare Saint Sauveur

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©Beer tapping|Richard Winter - Pixabay

    Visit in Lille

    • By train

      Lille-Flandres and Lille Europe stations (city centre)

      Served by national and European trains

    • By public transport

      Many bus companies serve Lille Arrival point in the city centre at the bus station (Lille Europe)

      Once you’re here, you’ll find it easy to get around thanks to the many buses, trams and underground trains on offer.

      Find all the information you need about urban and suburban transport on the Ilevia website:

    • By car

      A1, A25 and A27 motorways
      Use P+R car parks on the outskirts of the city

    Where can I park?

    Ah, the big question!

    Here’s a suggestion of specific car parks near the BAL / Gare Saint-Sauveur / centre Lille

    • ZenPark car park – Gare Saint-Sauveur (25 Boulevard Jean-Baptiste Lebas): season ticket available, 24 hours a day.
    • Saint-Philibert Park and Ride (Lomme): there is a P+R close to a metro station.
    • Parc relais Porte des Postes: another useful P+R.
    • Le Nouveau Siècle” car park: central car park, often recommended.
    • République / Beaux-Arts car park: central underground car parks, relatively close to festival venues.

    Be aware of underground car park closing times.

    Rules & tips to know

    • On-street pay parking in Lille is generally available from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.
    • It is free at night (after 7pm), on Sundays and public holidays.
    • Some zones, such as the green zone or “zone Azur”, have reduced rates or partial free parking.
    • Useful apps for paying / checking availability: Flowbird, EasyPark, Indigo Neo…

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    ©Design Untitled 19

    The right reflexes the perfect zythologist (responsible)

    The Lille Beer Festival is more than just a hop event: it’s an introduction to the art of tasting, meeting, brewing and sharing. So, before you raise your first glass, here are some tips for the perfect (responsible) zythologist, to slip into your bag (or into a corner of your head)!

    1. Taste, not gulp
    Take the time to observe, smell and savour. The stands often offer tasting formats (12 to 15 cl): perfect for exploring without excess.

    2. Hydrate between sips
    A sip of water between two beers is the key to staying alert, preserving your taste buds and your smile until the end of the Ball.

    3. Eat before and during
    Bread, cheese, home fries… beer loves good food. The foodtrucks present at Bière à Lille and Lille’s restaurants. This slows down the absorption of alcohol and prolongs the pleasure.

    4. Set yourself a timetable
    The BAL lasts a week: there’s no need to taste everything on the first evening.
    Set yourself a tasting route so that you can savour without running.

    5. No driving on the way back
    Public transport, car pooling, hotel or designated driver: the real hop pro knows how to get organised!

    A weekend of hops, It's best enjoyed when well organised!

    The Lille Beer Festival is the perfect opportunity to (re)discover the city in a whole new way. Whether you’re coming with friends, as a couple or as a tribe of amateur zythologists, here’s everything you need for an unforgettable stay.

    Where to sleep?

    From the heart of Lille to neighbouring towns such as Roubaix, Tourcoing and Villeneuve-d’Ascq, there’s plenty of accommodation within easy reach of the festival venues.

    Estaminets

    In a warm and friendly atmosphere, discover traditional dishes often accompanied by local beers.

    Heritage Beer

    The aim of this label is to enhance the tourist appeal of the region’s craft breweries and to make Lille and its metropolitan area a must-see destination for beer lovers.

    What to do in Lille over 2 days

    Between two tastings, let yourself be carried away by the energy of the weekend