Best walking tour in Lille
The meeting point of the best walking tour in Lille is Lille’s Cathedral.
Lille Cathedral is a great example of neo-Gothic architecture. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille cathedral is located in the Vieux-Lille district, where an ancient castle once stood. Its construction began in 1854 and lasted for about 150 years. The original idea was to build a basilica for the city of Lille, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Due to many financial difficulties due also to the arrival of the war, the construction ended only in 1999.
The architect of this great project was Charles Leroy, who designed a church inspired by those of Reims and Amiens. You will be able to admire a very peculiar structure because there are two areas, an old one and a new one. Inside you will find a crypt, one of the largest in France.
Visit to Palais des Beaux-Arts
For an amazing cultural experience, you’ll visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts.
The Lille Museum of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille) is the best French museum after the Louvre. It is located in the Saint-Sauveur district in a Belle Epoque mansion. Inside the museum you will find a rich art collection, there is a gallery of Greek and Egyptian Antiquities. You will also be able to admire the paintings of the best Flemish painters such as Rembrandt Rubens and Van Dyck. Works by Monet, Manet, and Delacroix are also exhibited in the museum.
If you love Italian painting, you’re in the right place. Here you will find an art collection by Donatello, Raphael, and others as well as the magnificent art of the Spanish Goya and Ribera. The importance of the collections makes the Palace of Fine Arts in Lille one of the richest museums in France.
Place du General de Gaulle
Then the guide will take you to the main center of the city, we are talking about Place Du General de Gaulle.
Place du Général-de-Gaulle is the main square of Lille. It has always been the place preferred by the locals, and it is here that the most important celebrations and events take place. Here you will notice a combination of several different architectures, between ancient and modern. This square is still today one of the main meeting points in Lille.
The square is surrounded by many bars, and restaurants but above all by historic buildings. Among them are the Théâtre du Nord and the Vieille Bourse, the oldest and most prestigious building in Lille.
In the center of the square, you will find the Column of the Goddess. Erected in 1845, it represents the heroism of the inhabitants of Lille during the siege of the city in 1792.
Beffroi de l’Hotel de la Ville
A must-see place is Beffroi, an amazing architectural work.
The Beffroi bell tower of the Hôtel de Ville town hall is the only monument declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lille. It was designed by the architect Emile Dubuisson. The bell tower is decorated with triangular pediments and is built with red brick and concrete
At 104 meters high, it is the tallest monument in France and the tallest in Europe. In fact, from the top of the bell tower, you can enjoy the most beautiful breathtaking view of the city. Inside, as well as a beautiful collection of contemporary works, there is a lighthouse. It was formerly used to warn citizens of city meetings. It was the symbol of Lille’s political and commercial power.
Book your bed in Lille at The People Hostel
If you are in Lille, The People Hostel is the perfect accommodation for you! Our famous hostel is located in the Old Town of Lille, a very good location to discover the main attractions of the city.
You can choose the room you prefer, from dorms to private rooms. In addition, here, you will also find a fully equipped kitchen, where you can cook your favorite meals. What are you waiting for? Our amazing staff can’t wait to meet you. Book now your bed at The People Hostel.
Where we’ll be...
The tour starts at Lille's Cathedral.
