Things To Do In Lille: From The Belfry To La Piscine Museum

In May 2026, I set off on a getaway to Lille, in northern France, to visit my former roommate Nada, who had moved there two years earlier. Between the architecture, museums, a climb up the belfry, a walking tour, and a stroll through the park, here are all the things to do in Lille that I discovered during my stay.

Lille’s Architecture: Where Styles Meet

Riding the overground or walking through the streets of Lille for the first time, I didn’t feel out of place at all. I lived in London for three years and still think of it as my city, and Lille felt just like it. The feeling was so strong that I was surprised to hear people speaking French.

I had booked an Airbnb in a tall, narrow little house with a spiral staircase. A friend told me it reminded him of Dutch houses. For me, it was more like something I had seen in Denmark. Either way, I was definitely not in Toulouse anymore. This was the North!

But in the city center, the style changes. It feels less like London and much grander: this is Flemish-Spanish architecture. More colorful, more ornate, and full of curves, it leaves the London-style bricks and boxy shapes far behind.

What To Visit In Lille: Museums And Monuments

Palais Des Beaux-Arts De Lille

My arrival happened to fall on the European Night of Museums, so I headed to the Palais des Beaux-Arts. I got there at the perfect moment: everyone was having dinner, so there was no line at all.

The museum is huge, so it was nice not to be rushed and to have the whole evening to visit it. It has a bit of everything: sculptures, vases, paintings, and even artwork on the walls of the palace itself. The building alone is stunning! And since it was Museum Night, there were painters making copies of the artworks and even musicians playing, which was really cool. I ended up spending two hours there.

La Piscine: Roubaix’s Museum Of Art And Industry

The next day, Nada and I took the train (included in the day transit pass) to Roubaix to visit La Piscine. The place is magical: it’s a former swimming pool turned into a museum, and it kept its central pool! That part of the museum is extraordinary. Swimming there must have been something else.

The museum is quite big, and we spent several hours there. It felt a little messy at times, with lots of unrelated works displayed side by side, but overall, it was a pleasant visit. I think it’s best to go several times and focus on one section each visit to really take everything in. Otherwise, it’s a bit too much for my taste. Plus, in my case, I was chatting with Nada the whole time!

The Belfry Of Lille City Hall

On the last day, the carbonade flamande from the night before was still doing its job, so I skipped breakfast and went straight to the Lille belfry to see the city from above. Standing 104 meters (341 feet) tall, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I waited 30 to 45 minutes for the self-guided visit. I’d recommend getting there early to avoid a long wait, since you can’t book the self-guided visit in advance. You can book a guided tour, but only at 10 a.m. Tickets cost 7 euros, or 6 for job seekers.

First, you have to climb about a hundred steps to reach the ticket desk. Then comes the big decision: take the elevator or the stairs all the way up. I wanted to see what the belfry looked like on the inside, so I chose the stairs, 415 steps in total from the ground. Honestly, it was worth it, and some of the views along the way are really nice. At the top, there are fences and the wall is quite high, so you have to lift your arms up to take photos. And well, while I was at it, I walked back down all 415 steps too!

Walking Tour Of Downtown Lille With The Tourist Office

Later that day, I had booked a walking tour with the tourist office. It costs 12 euros, or 11 euros if you book online.

It was super interesting, but it was so, so hot! Our guide tried to keep us in the shade as much as possible, but some spots were inevitably in full sun. Talk about irony for a city famous for its bad weather!

The tour lasted a little over two hours, and I learned quite a lot about the city’s history, including where its name comes from: Lille comes from “l’île,” which means “the island” in French, because the city was once a kind of island surrounded by rivers.

During the tour, we walked around the Grand Place, the main square, where you can find some of the city’s most beautiful buildings: the Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), the Nouvelle Bourse (New Stock Exchange), the Opera House, and the Palais Rihour, among others. In the middle of the square stands the Goddess Column, who holds a linstock in her right hand. This staff was used to light cannons and serves as a reminder of how the city resisted the Austrian siege of Lille in 1792.

As always, I highly recommend walking tours. I usually book them to discover the cities I travel to. They’re affordable, and they’re a great way to get to know a city and find your way around more easily.

Parc De La Citadelle: A Walk In Nature

Nada had convinced me that the Parc de la Citadelle was worth a visit, so I went for a stroll there on my last evening.

This iconic park is the largest green space in Lille. It’s named after the military citadel at its center, which is a listed historic monument but wasn’t open to the general public when I was there.

I took a leisurely walk around the park in the late afternoon light. It’s pretty, even though knowing there was a military base right there kept interfering with the peaceful vibe in my head.

I sat down on a bench to eat my merveilleux (a delicious cake). The atmosphere was lovely: a group of young people was practicing brass instruments in one corner, another group was beatboxing and rapping, and a guy was playing the saxophone on the bridge.

A few practical tips:

• The park is a little out of the way and quite a walk from downtown, so if you’re planning to go, check the bus schedules to see if that would be faster for you.
• Not much of a wanderer? Pick a route to follow on the official website.
• Curious about the citadel? You can take a virtual tour.

A Note On Panhandling In Lille

Downtown, it’s pretty intense: there are a lot of people asking for money. They’re not aggressive, but I think it’s worth knowing before you go, especially if you’re spending time in the historic center.

I noticed that it works differently than in Toulouse. In Toulouse, people asking for change usually sit or stay in one spot, say hello, and ask for a coin (or just wait quietly). In Lille, it felt almost professional: they walk up to you, say hello, briefly introduce themselves, and ask for money. If you say no, they move on quickly, looking busy, as if it were door-to-door sales and they had to get to the next customer. When I said no, one of them even asked, “Don’t you have a bill? Or a card?” Very businesslike!

On Sunday, in the old center, I was approached at least twenty times.

Lille Recap: Things To Do And Practical Tips

What to see

• Palais des Beaux-Arts: A huge museum with sculptures, paintings, and a stunning building. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of visit (including a shorter “flash” visit) and the day, so check the official website before you go. Plan at least two hours, or go during the European Night of Museums for a special atmosphere.
• La Piscine in Roubaix: A former swimming pool turned into a museum, easy to reach by train from Lille. Full-price tickets cost 11.60 euros. Take your time, as there’s a lot to see.

• The Belfry of Lille City Hall: A UNESCO World Heritage Site standing 104 meters (341 feet) tall. Climb 415 steps for a great view of the city (or take the elevator!). Tickets cost 7 euros, or 6 euros for job seekers. Arrive early, since you can’t book the self-guided visit.
• Walking tour with the tourist office: A two-hour tour to learn about the city’s history and get your bearings. Tickets cost 12 euros, or 11 euros if you book online.
• Parc de la Citadelle: The largest green space in Lille, perfect for an evening stroll.

Getting there and around

• From London: Lille is only about 1 hour 20 minutes from London by Eurostar, which makes it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway.
• Day transit pass: For 5.70 euros, you get unlimited access to trains, buses, and the metro across the Lille metropolitan area, Roubaix included.
• Lille City Pass: If you’re planning to visit several attractions and use public transit, check out the Lille City Pass. It wasn’t worth it for me, but if you’re staying longer and aren’t eligible for discounted rates, it could definitely pay off.

(Prices as of May 2026.)