Insights into Lille, France

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/louvre-lens-and-lille-8dd19b06-aacb-466c-bab6-0e32649d4cc2

It is not particularly on the way, but people will ask you if you visited Bruges on this trip.

Edit: I would point out that a ten year old post is much more valuable for a European destination than it is for an American destination. But there have been global financial crises and a Pandemic, it's true. Lille had the nickname, "Little Paris."

This NY Times link looks scary because it is a "gift", with no paywall:

"Flemish Comfort Food in French Flanders"

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/travel/20choice-estaminets.html?unlocked_article_code=7BB4tKNjtkmHxygeGqq8WlZh688SXUYbgTJvlW94bTai5c2ZZ2XYgrAlIl6ulGax6OPidVSSX4IiVv6m0yZLlQqANG77EaBFycJu4Ire6uKKhCGkWMiOIyjRzboapKKppeJGEJaifDqTf_Gvy7FRN5idIjBykLAlJ5K0MumyUoH8Dh-idsH7U95CAQrECUezG3I3OyFTiAiJftVkKIFYLYkB9wHEYu29DO6Bh7ju3-bmkQlJmfpitMJI1lnz9_8b164upWzqLGJAm6EL_wt6YYzT19rszDC888T2pU5qx-dX-xWzZWGwBxHEaptPV-3UnFJdauk2_jBsQ41d&smid=url-share

Hi,

Unless you have your mind set on staying in Lille, another city closer to Lens is also well worth seeing and staying in: Arras, also a direct connection to Lens. I hadn't been to Arras in a number of years, went back in last month to re-explore and visit and all that.

Years ago I visited Lens then too, famous for its soccer team. My experience in Lille is certainly not recent, (can't help you on that one), did 2 day trips there some twenty years ago. It is the cultural and intellectual capital of northern France.

Lille is great! Have not been since Covid hit, but I spent a few days there every now and then throughout the 2010s.
There are lots of top-notch museums and exhibition spaces, from the traditional Musee Des Beaux Arts to the edgy Tripostal (and don't miss the Piscine in Roubaix). The old Lille is very charming, and the area is scattered with architectural highlights.

It is easy to visit Lens from there, there are frequent trains. Arras, as mentioned, is a good day trip too.
Editing to add that I would not stay in Lens. There are very few restaurants there, and it is a bit depressing compared to Lille or Arras.

We were in Lille for 2 nights last year as we were transitioning back to London after 3 weeks in France. I liked it, but at this point we had been traveling for almost 9 weeks and I was getting burnt out on decision making. Lol! I’m sure if I wasn’t in that state of mind I would have enjoyed it even more.

Lille is one of my favorites cities in France. Without a doubt the friendliest. I spent 10 days there this summer for work. Let me know if you have specific questions.

I'd suggest staying in Lille over Arras or Lens - for sure. For hotels, check out the Hotel Bellevue or Hotel Carlton.

I was probably in those 10 year old postings LOL

Just to say, when you use the Rick Steves Search bar at the top of the webpages on laptops, or via the "hamburger" on smaller screens you have the option of narrowing the time posted window to as little as 6 months or a year, or you can as you have done get the whole whack. The problem with seeing the whole pile is the results are not displayed in date order (actually I never have understood how they are sorted but I always pick a tight window of time so get fewer results.... )

Thanks for reassuring us that Lille will be a good place to use as a base camp for a few days. Now we're pondering hopping on a train from Lille to London for a day trip. Crazy, no?

The train ride to London takes 1hr20min, but you need to allow for at least 1 hour for passport control, so you are looking at 5 hours round-trip for travel alone.

From Paris, it's more like 6-7 hours of travel time and I usually totally discourage it. From Lille, it's still a lot of travel time but Lille Europe station is very central, so it helps. If you are OK with this much travel in a day, I say "doable, but plan a bit of rest the next day".

Second Lille too.

For a completely off the beaten path experience you can visit Tournai (Doornik in Flemish) just across the border. Takes about 30 minutes with the train, tickets for around €5 per head.

There is also a little but nice purpose build museum (by Victor Horta) of fine arts. Small collection with a few big names like Monet, Manet and van Gogh. With an entrance fee of €4 a real bargain. Tournai is also famous for it’s cathedral and like the local belfry on the UNESCO WHL.
https://mba.tournai.be/collection
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1009

Thanks again for the comments and recommendations. We will definitely be staying in Lille. Everything else is still under consideration.

Hi, I was wondering how your trip to Lille was and can you make any recommendations? I will be there in late June, and I am trying to decide if I should have a home base in Lille and do 1 or 2 day trips, or should I plan for 3-4 trips and just a few nights in Lille. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

We loved Lille. We enjoyed the old town area enormously. Walked all over, even though it rained a lot in November. Visited the "hospice" and the Palais de Beaux Arts. Day-tripped by train to Lens to see the Louvre's branch museum (fascinating). Found great food. Lille was quieter, smaller town than Paris, but well worth your time.

I second Wil's recommendation above regarding a day trip to Tournai. It's my favorite city in Belgium...small, pretty, and walkable, but with several very interesting places to visit.