Palais des Beaux-Arts de LillePalais Des Beaux Arts Ete 2023 Laurent Javoy 5 Min
©Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille|Laurent Javoy - Hello Lille

Museums and tourist sites a must-see

Are you coming to Lille for the first time and want to discover the must-see sites not to be missed? Let yourself be lulled by the warm atmosphere of Vieux-Lille, admire the pool at La Piscine museum in Roubaix or enjoy nature and art in Villeneuve d’Ascq.

Cross the charming alleyways Old Lille

Undoubtedly Lille’s most picturesque and chic district. Following major conservation work, Vieux-Lille has become a veritable eldorado, attracting many curious visitors every year. What could be better than to lose yourself in its streets and alleys, filled with history? You’ll be captivated by the pretty colors of this idyllic setting, as beautiful in summer as it is in winter.

The Museum of l'hospice Comtesse

Immerse yourself in 800 years of history, in this former hospital in the heart of Vieux-Lille, founded in 1237 on the initiative of Countess Jeanne de Flandres. The remains of this authentic building are still very well preserved. Step through the doors of this museum to discover the chapel, the patients’ ward, the medicinal garden, the coat of arms, paintings and antiques recounting the life of the Augustinian nuns.

Lille's green lung the Citadel

This is undoubtedly one of Vauban’s most impressive projects: a huge fortress built in 1670, on the orders of Louis XIV, who had just conquered the city. Its star-shaped design is a masterpiece of strategic and military ingenuity. Sixty million bricks, three million stone blocks and seventy thousand feet of sandstone were required for its construction. The Citadelle of Lille has not lost its defensive role, as it is still a military base today.

the Grand'Place and its pretty colors

Located in the heart of the city, the Place du Général de Gaulle is a must-see. Nicknamed Lille’s “Grand’Place”, it is a real eye-catcher, with emblematic monuments such as the Vieille Bourse and the Voix du Nord building. Its uniqueness also stems from its many facades of different styles and architecture.

The Town Hall and its belfry

The town hall, built between 1924 and 1932 by architect Émile Dubuisson, is inspired by Flemish tradition, with its triangular gabled houses, and the use of a resolutely modern material: reinforced concrete. A symbol of the freedom of northern cities, its 104-meter-high belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, it’s the highest belfry in the world! Its base features sculptures of the city’s two founding giants: Lyderic and Phinaert.

The Palace of Fine Arts

It is one of France’s richest museums. A 19th-century building with remarkable gilding and decoration. Here you’ll find prestigious collections of European paintings, sculptures and ceramics from the last few centuries. The Middle Ages and Renaissance departments feature an important cabinet of drawings, as well as relief plans of some fifteen towns fortified by Vauban, in northern France and Belgium.

Book your activity among a multitude of experiences

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