Lille in 2 Days: Old Town and Art

Begin at the old stock exchange beside the Grand Place. Its decorated façades and courtyard introduce the Flemish character of central Lille before you head north into the older streets.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille combines a much newer façade with the older cathedral behind it. Visit on the walk through Vieux-Lille, then continue towards the Hospice Comtesse.

This former hospital is the most useful museum for understanding old Lille. Its rooms, furnishings and courtyard fit naturally into the neighbourhood walk, rather than requiring a separate museum district detour.

Walk out to the green spaces around Vauban’s citadel after the old-town visits. The park paths are the main attraction here; the military citadel itself is not a freely accessible walk-through monument.

Make the fine arts museum the main visit of the second day. Choose a few parts of its large collection to explore properly, then continue on foot towards the Porte de Paris and town hall.

This monumental gateway is a brief outdoor stop between the museum and the town hall. Look at the sculptural details, then continue to the neighbouring belfry rather than treating it as a separate excursion.

Finish the southern-centre walk in this park, recognisable by its red railings. It provides an outdoor pause after the gallery and belfry, with the surrounding streets offering a different side of Lille.

For a longer art outing, head to Villeneuve-d’Ascq for modern art, contemporary art and art brut. This is outside central Lille, so use it as a replacement for a main museum visit, not a quick extra between sights.