My Arrival in Lille
When I first planned a trip to Lille, I’ll admit — it wasn’t at the top of my French travel bucket list. Paris has its glamour, Lyon has its gastronomy, and Bordeaux has its wine. Lille, however, often flies under the radar. Lille is one of France’s best-kept secrets.
I want to share not just the highlights but the practical tips that would have saved me time, money, and the occasional headache. Think of this as the guide I wish someone had handed me before I zipped up my suitcase in Amiens and hopped on the train north.
From what to pack, how to budget, where to eat, and even how to handle metro cards, SIM cards, and insurance — this is my complete survival kit for anyone heading to Lille for the first time.
Packing for Lille: What I Learned the Hard Way
Essentials I Wish I Had Packed
• Layers, layers, layers: Lille’s weather is unpredictable. In May, I wore a T-shirt in the morning, a sweater by noon, and a raincoat by evening.
• Comfortable walking shoes: Lille is a walking city. Cobblestones in Vieux-Lille are charming, but brutal if you’re in flimsy shoes. My sneakers saved me.
• Reusable water bottle: Public fountains exist, but they’re not as common as in Paris. Buying bottled water adds up.
• Compact umbrella: Rain showers come suddenly. My small umbrella became my best friend.
• A lightweight scarf: Not only for warmth but also because Lille is stylish. Locals pull off scarves effortlessly, and blending in felt good.
Things I Overpacked
• Formal clothes: Unless you’re attending a gala at the Lille Opera, smart casual is enough.
• Heavy guidebooks: I downloaded offline maps and guides instead. Much lighter.
Dressing the Part: Blending in with Locals
If Parisian style intimidates you, Lille is a breath of fresh air. It’s chic but practical. Locals dress well, but without the polished intensity of Parisians.
• Men: Slim jeans, sneakers or leather shoes, a fitted jacket.
• Women: Dresses with tights, tailored trousers, trench coats.
• Everyone: Scarves. Always scarves.
When I wore neutral colors and a scarf, I felt less like a tourist. I even got asked for directions once — a true sign of blending in.
Lille Weather: Expect the Unexpected
Lille’s climate can feel like it’s in cahoots with London — rain, clouds, and sudden sun.
• Spring (March–May): Mild, 10–18°C (50–65°F). Lots of showers.
• Summer (June–August): Warm but not hot, 20–25°C (68–77°F). Best time for outdoor cafes.
• Autumn (September–November): Crisp air, stunning foliage, 10–15°C (50–59°F).
• Winter (December–February): Cold, 2–7°C (35–45°F), occasional snow.
Tip: Always carry a light waterproof layer, no matter the season. I learned this after getting soaked in a surprise downpour near Grand Place.
Understanding Lille’s Culture
Lille is fascinating because it blends French and Flemish influences. It’s part of Hauts-de-France, close to Belgium, and you can feel that cross-border spirit everywhere.
• Language: French dominates, but English is understood in tourist areas. I found locals welcoming when I tried basic French greetings.
• Food culture: Hearty, rich, with lots of beer pairings. Flemish carbonnade (beef stew with beer) was a revelation.
• Social vibe: Lively! Lille is a student city, and nightlife is buzzing. Cafés and brasseries spill onto sidewalks.
I loved that Lille felt less formal than Paris, but still deeply cultural.
Currency Exchange and Budgeting
Currency Exchange
Lille uses the euro, and credit cards are widely accepted, even at small bakeries. Still, I recommend carrying €20–€40 in cash for markets and street food.
• Where I exchanged money: I used Travelex inside Lille Europe train station. Rates were decent, though not the best.
• Tip: Withdraw from ATMs using a no-foreign-fee card (I used Wise). Much better rates.
Budgeting
My average daily budget in Lille:
• Accommodation: €80–€120 (mid-range hotel)
• Food: €30–€50
• Transport: €10–€15
• Attractions: €15–€20
So about €150/day for a comfortable trip. Budget travelers could manage €80/day with hostels and self-catering.
Public Transport: Mastering the Lille Metro
Lille has one of the world’s first fully automated metros. It’s small but efficient.
Tickets & Cards
• Single ticket: €1.80 (valid 1 hour on metro, bus, or tram).
• 10-ticket carnet: €16.20 (saves money).
• Pass Pass Card: €5 to buy, then load with tickets or unlimited passes.
I bought the Pass Pass Card at Lille Flandres station. It worked like a charm and saved fumbling for paper tickets.
Metro vs. Tram vs. Bus
• Metro: Fastest for main city areas. Two lines, simple to navigate.
• Tram: Slower but scenic — connects Lille to Roubaix and Tourcoing.
• Bus: Fills in the gaps, but traffic can be heavy.
Compared to Amiens (which has no metro, just buses), Lille felt futuristic.
Street Food in Lille: My Highlights
I’m a foodie, and Lille didn’t disappoint. Street food here isn’t just late-night kebabs (though those exist).
• Waffles (Gaufres): I had a hot waffle stuffed with vanilla cream from Aux Merveilleux de Fred (€2.50). Heavenly.
• Frites (Fries): Thick, golden, served in paper cones. Best I had was at Friterie Meunier (€3.50).
• Maroilles Cheese Tarts: Strong but delicious. Found at Marché de Wazemmes (€4–€5).
Street Food Safety Tips
• Choose busy stalls — turnover means fresher food.
• Avoid anything sitting in the sun too long.
• Bring hand sanitizer (trust me, markets can get messy).
Getting a Local SIM Card
I didn’t want to rely solely on hotel Wi-Fi, so I grabbed a local SIM card.
• Orange Holiday SIM: €19.99 for 12GB, valid 14 days.
• Bouygues Telecom: €15 for 20GB, valid 30 days.
• Where to buy: Lille Flandres station kiosks, airports, or supermarkets (Carrefour).
I chose Orange because it activated instantly and worked across France and Belgium — handy when I hopped into Brussels later.
My 5-Day Mini Itinerary in Lille
Day 1: Arrival & Old Town
• Check in, stroll Vieux-Lille, admire Grand Place.
• Dinner at Brasserie de la Paix (I had Flemish stew, €22).
Day 2: Museums & Culture
• Palais des Beaux-Arts (ticket €7, free first Sunday of month).
• Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle.
Day 3: Day Trip to Roubaix
• Visit La Piscine Museum, an art museum in a former swimming pool. Stunning.
Day 4: Parks & Markets
• Morning at Parc de la Citadelle.
• Afternoon browsing Marché de Wazemmes.
Day 5: Shopping & Farewell
• Euralille Mall for modern shopping.
• Souvenirs: waffles, beer, and Maroilles cheese.
Day Trips I Recommend from Lille
• Arras: Beautiful Flemish squares, 40 minutes by train.
• Ghent (Belgium): 1 hour by train. A must if you love canals.
• Lens: Visit the Louvre-Lens Museum (free entry).
I personally loved Arras — its Grand Place is breathtaking.
Travel Insurance: Don’t Skip It
I always travel with insurance, and for this trip I used Allianz Travel Insurance – Classic Plan.
• Cost: About €40 for one week.
• Coverage: Trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost baggage.
• Why I recommend: Lille is safe, but accidents happen. I once slipped on wet cobblestones — thankfully nothing serious, but it reminded me why coverage matters.
Other good options: World Nomads, AXA Assistance.
Personal Reflections
Lille charmed me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s a city that feels approachable, human-sized, and full of life. The blend of cultures, affordable prices, and youthful energy made me wonder why more people don’t visit.
If I could go back in time, I’d tell my past self:
• Pack smarter.
• Budget realistically but leave room for waffles.
• Get the metro card on day one.
• And above all, slow down — Lille rewards curiosity.
Why Lille Stays With Me
As I boarded my train out of Lille and watched the cityscape blur into the countryside, I realized that Lille had given me something different from Paris or Lyon. It wasn’t about overwhelming grandeur or ticking off a famous bucket list — it was about feeling at home in a place that still felt completely new.
The laughter in the markets, the chatter of students in cafés, the comfort of a hot waffle on a rainy afternoon — these are the small moments that stitched my Lille trip together. They’re not the flashy highlights you see on postcards, but they’re the ones that have stuck with me, weeks and months later.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d leave with first-time travelers, it’s this: don’t underestimate Lille. Go in with curiosity, not just expectations. Pack smart, embrace the unpredictable weather, and don’t be afraid to wander beyond the main attractions. Sometimes the best discoveries are tucked in side streets or happen when you decide to sit at a café for an extra hour, just to people-watch.
From a practical standpoint, Lille is forgiving to travelers. Affordable flights, easy metro navigation, plenty of budget-friendly food options, and proximity to Belgium make it a traveler’s dream for both beginners and seasoned explorers. And yet, it doesn’t feel overrun. You can still breathe here. You can still hear the heartbeat of the city without being drowned out by crowds.
The thrill of the unknown, balanced with the warmth of connection. Every waffle seller, tram conductor, or hotel receptionist I met made me feel like Lille wasn’t just a destination — it was a story unfolding, and I got to be part of it for a short while.
So, whether you’re plotting out your French itinerary or just curious about cities beyond Paris, give Lille the chance it deserves. Arm yourself with these tips, but also leave room for serendipity. Let yourself get lost, try that strange-smelling cheese, ride the metro just to see where it ends, and most importantly, savor it all.
Because travel isn’t about collecting places — it’s about collecting feelings. And Lille, with all its charm, gave me plenty to take home.
