Find and book the perfect apartment or holiday home in Lille
It is located in what was formerly known as the Flanders region, which has had a great influence on the city's infrastructure, including its hostels and public buildings, and of course the delightful Old Town, Vieux Lille. Browse all that TripAdvisor and Airbnb have to offer in this wonderful part of the city and find your ideal bed and breakfast, holiday home or apartment, when you book with Likibu. Alternatively, take a central apartment to be near breath-taking attractions such as the Grand Palais Lille, or the Lille Railway Station for a convenient fleeting visit.
Best time to visit Lille
Lille experiences temperatures peaking at around 25 degrees in the summer, and dipping to below 10 degrees in the winter, so summer is a great time to visit if you plan on spending much time outdoors. Although you will experience cold temperature in winter, the festive period can be rather idyllic and so it is worth considering a visit at this time also. Do however bear in mind that rainfall is significant in this city, so be prepared.
How to get to Lille?
Lille is one of the largest urban areas in France, right up near the Northern tip of the country, situated next to the Belgian border. One of the best ways to travel to Lille from the UK is Eurostar, which departs form two locations in Kent, (AFK and EBD), and also from the central London station, St Pancras. The closest airport is Lille Lesquin, which is only 15 minutes from the centre of Lille, and although it's not a huge airport you are able to fly with easyJet and RyanAir, ensuring your flight won't be too expensive.
How to get around in Lille?
Lille is home to the world's first automatic subway, with 60 stops covering 45 km. There are also trams available for use, which cover 35 stops and connect Roubaix and Tourcoing with Gare Lille Flandres, and there are about 60 bus routes. All public transport runs from 5:30am until midnight and are free with a City Pass, with several other passes being available. Bike's and cycle taxis are also available for a fun and eco-friendly mode of transport, just look up V'Lille and Happy Moov.
Where to stay in Lille?
Vieux Lille
The Old Town of Lille is an enchanting picture of elaborate seventeenth century brick and stone, and you should book your holiday accommodation in this area to explore the library, theatres and attend the Opera. Strolling around this area is a great way to view the typical yet fantastic infrastructure of the city. Cathedral Notre Dame de la Treille is also a must-see and will also be situated right at your doorstep, when you book your self-catered apartment in this area.
Central Lille
If you wish to be right in the heart of this stylish city, book one of the holiday rentals like an Airbnb in the centre of Lille to have great convenience for the train station and the shops. Also Palais des Beaux Arts and the Natural History museum are in this area, so you can enjoy a day of perusing the gallery and learning in the museum, without travelling far from your accommodation at all.
Esquermes
Book a holiday rental in the slightly outer region of Esquermes and have plenty of room for the whole family in a homestay or apartment, right near the Vauban Garden and Zoo de Lille. In this area, there are plenty of riverside pathways for you to tire out any troublesome little-ones or stroll off your French cuisine.
What to do in Lille?
Cathedral Notre Dame de la Treille
The astounding Cathedral Notre Dame de la Treille, which is made of white marble and metal and was only finished in 1999, is a key attraction in Lille and a remarkable building to behold. Its design was created by a Lille local, architect Pierre-Louis Carlier, in collaboration with the engineer responsible for the Sydney Opera House and the Pompididou centre in Paris.
Jardin Vauban
This is a charming scenic garden which connects the Centre of Lille with Citadel island in the West of Lille. When the sun shines, head to this landscape of idyllic greenery and take a romantic stroll through the picturesque park to get a hit of natural beauty, inside the city of Lille.
Food and Drink
In Lille, it's all about moules frites and beer. Although typical French cousine is obviously available, it's always best to stick to local traditions when experiencing the culture of a city to its full potential. Attend the ‘clearance of Lille', an annual two-day market on the first weekend of December, to see the mountains of mussel shells left over from the feasting of this festival in Lille!
Shopping
Lille has plenty of shopping available, there is something for everyone, not just for the bargain hunters at ‘clearance of Lille', but also for those who are more into luxury goods and antiques. Head to Old Lille for luxury goods, antiques and contemporary design, head to Euralille for department stores and international brands. Otherwise, head out to Wazemmes for ethnic shopping and bargain hunting!