Your Little Black Book // Lille City Guide
In this Lille City Guide you find the best tips for 48 hours in Rijsel! Lille is a town in the North of France which is perfect for a weekend getaway. With NS International you’re there in less than 3 hours! And once in Lille (aka Rijsel) it truly feels like being on a holiday. Lille is perfect for shopping, great food and everyone who loves the Burgundy lifestyle.
So that’s why Yourlbb shares the coolest hotspots in this Lille City Guide to make your city trip a weekend to remember!
Thalys | Lille City Guide
Don’t bother to take the car! Lille is so easy to go to by train. Watch a movie and before you know NS International took you there already. It’s less than 3 hours! The train stops in the heart of the city center and will only be a short walk to your hotel. If you book in advance the rates are very good. Only € 19,- for a single fare! Click here for the best rates >>.
Hotels | Lille City Guide
Lille is not that big. So no matter where you stay, it’s close to almost everything. I don’t think Rijsel is known for its super trendy hotels. But luckily there are a few places that will make your stay there a very nice one.
* A special hotel is L’Hotel Europa at Gare Saint Sauveur. You can sleep in a former machinery room or in one of the other uniquely designed rooms. You can’t book this hotel via the regular booking websites. So click here to book at the hotel’s website >>. Good luck, it’s in French ;-)!
* A good hotel in the heart of Lille is the Best Western Why hotel (yes, a chain… but believe me it’s one of the best hotels in the city center of Lille!)
* B&B Villa Paula is a super de luxe hotel in an art deco villa only 15 minutes by car from Lille. Very nice interior design and a jacuzzi in the summer months.
Food & drinks | Lille City Guide
For foodies Lille is the perfect city for a weekend getaway! Like in the most French towns the food is delicious. The best restaurants in Lille can be found in the streets: Rue Royale, Rue Doudin, Rue des Bouchers and Rue Basse.
Here’s our shortlist with restaurant hotspots in Lille you may not miss on your next city trip:
* For a long night of wining and dining restaurant Bloempot is a must visit. They serve a 3-6 course meal and the food is all delicious. Make sure to book a table!
* Do you like good coffee? Then you have to check out Caféine Coffee in Lille for a nice brew.
* In the afternoon L’Huitiere is the place to be for a wine and dozen of oysters.
* For tasty burgers and other barfood the vintage cafe Berliner is nice.
* Gare Saint Sauveur is a creative spot for a relaxed lunch on Sunday. After lunch you can check out the free expo there.
* The restaurant and urban art gallery Basilic Cafe has delicious steak tartare (and more!).
Also nice are: Gusto Mio (Italian), Elizabeth’s (cake), L’Atelier Gourmand (traditional), Meert (cake), La Bottega (pizza), Tous Les Jours Dimanche (traditional), Le Bellerose (bar food), Cafe Livres (book cafe), Pinocchio (Italian), Leontine (epicerie).
Shopping | Lile City Guide
Make sure to bring your plastic money on a city trip to Lille. This city is great for shopping! You find all the high street brands in the shopping mall close to the central station. But I think it’s more fun to go to the smaller vintage stores and boutiques. There you find unique stores like: APC, Zadig & Voltaire and Sandro.
Best shopping-streets in Lille:
The best shopping-streets in Lille are: Rue de la Grande Chaussée (for the big names like Louis Vuitton and Hermès), Rue de la Clef (small boutiques and more trendy), Rue Basse (lots of antiques), Rue Masurel (small boutique style stores), Rue Nationale, Rue de la Vieille Comédie (e.g. Sandro), Place Rihou. Tip: the small side streets have the best stores!
Have fun in Lille!