Behind the doors of this superb 19th-century building, adorned with gilding and sculptures, lies France’s richest collection of works of art after that of the Louvre: Rodin, Van Dyck, Rubens, Delacroix, Goya, Courbet and many other world-renowned artists are on display.
Part of the history of the North, its galleries offer a journey through styles and eras, and regularly host temporary exhibitions open to all.
Palais Des Beaux Arts Ete 2023 Laurent Javoy 5 Min
Natural History MuseumWhen it was inaugurated in 1894, this former science faculty was entrusted with the city of Lille’s geology and zoology collections, to meet the needs of the burgeoning research community at the time, and to help visitors marvel at the collections.
Now entirely converted into a museum, the building houses some remarkably well-preserved natural treasures, whose presentation plunges those who observe them thousands, even millions of years back in time… A great idea for a fun family outing!
Nestled in the four corners of the city, a number of museums tell the story of Lille in their own way. The must-see Hospice Comtesse takes you back to the Flemish era, when Lille was in full development, while the Maison natale Charles de Gaulle and the Institut Pasteur de Lille museum take you back to more contemporary times.
Enter the basement of Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral, in the neo-Gothic crypt, to discover works from the Delaine Collection: a multitude of paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings and stained glass windows by 20th and 21st century artists, on the theme of the Passion of Christ. A collection unique in France and the rest of the world, it blends contemporary art with a theme rightly abandoned by the period and its artists.
Cathedrale Notre Dame De La Treille Laurent Javoy 2 Min
La Piscine MuseumThis former swimming pool, built in art deco style in the heart of Roubaix, is a true cultural gem. Inside, you’ll find a rare wealth of collections! The Musée d’art et d’industrie invites you on an original discovery of its collections of applied arts (drawing, textiles, ceramics) and fine arts (painting, sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries).
During your visit, you won’t want to leave without taking a picture of the two immense glass windows that illuminate the basin below.
With its rich cultural offering, the metropolis of Lille is full of wonders to explore. Whether you’re a fan of fine arts, contemporary art or Arab culture, Lille and the surrounding area have plenty to surprise you.
Find all the museums, Maisons Folies, religious sites and places dedicated to artistic expression.
