Railbookers Recommends - 72 Hours in Lille
Just 1 hour 20 minutes from St Pancras International, Lille is the perfect destination for a weekend break. Plus with many Railbookers' Lille short breaks including a third night free this gives you even more time to enjoy this charming city. We've put together a guide on how to spend your weekend in Lille.
Friday
Hop onto the train for your 1 hour 20 minutes journey to Lille.
On arrival check-in at your central Lille hotel, before heading out to explore Lille's old town area by night, and enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Saturday
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, head over to the Tourist Office for a one hour guided city tour.
After your tour wander into Grand Place, and Place du Theatre, where you can admire some of Lille's most striking architecture.
Watch locals playing chess in the Vieille Bourse, or browse for books in one of Europe's largest bookshops Le Furet du Nord.
Pop into Paul's bakery (just off Grand Place) for a sandwich, before going to the Tourist Office on Place Rihour to pick up your Flanders Fields Tour.
Your 4 hour tour will take you by bus with an English guide to Ypres, visiting the battlefields and cemeteries of World War I and the highlights of the town.
Return to Lille for dinner in a restaurant in the old town.
Sunday
Get up early, and after breakfast explore the huge Sunday market at Wazemmes, stalls set up in the streets around the Churches of St Paul and St Pierre offer fruit, flowers, antiques and clothes - be prepared to rummage for a bargain.
After lunch, use your Lille City Pass to take the Metro from the centre of Lille to nearby Roubaix. Explore the city, and enjoy a local speciality waffle, before visiting La Piscine - an art deco swimming pool converted into an art gallery.
Monday
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before some shopping at the new Galeries Lafayette in the centre of Lille, the boutiques in the old town, or stock up on some French food and wine at Euralille shopping centre. After lunch visit Musée des Beaux Artes, France's second largest museum after the Louvre. Then hop onto the train for your return journey to the UK.
Lille Breaks
3* Novotel Lille Centre Grand Place from £124
The Novotel Lille Centre Grand Place Hotel is a modern hotel with 104 comfortable bedrooms. The hotel has a bar and a restaurant. The hotel is in the centre of Lille, just off... More Info
4* Hermitage Gantois from £154
The historic L'Hermitage Gantois Hotel dates from the 15th century, and was originally built as a hospice. The Chapel, original façade, and internal courtyards remain (although... More Info
4* Crowne Plaza Lille from £134
The modern copper coated Crowne Plaza Hotel has 121 rooms arranged over 10 floors. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. The hotel is opposite the Eurostar train station, and 5... More Info
3* Novotel Lille Centre Gares from £124
The modern Novotel Lille Centre Gares Hotel has 93 spacious and comfortable bedrooms. Look out for the colourful modern art style water feature in the courtyard garden. The hotel... More Info
4* Couvent Des Minimes from £144
The Couvent des Minimes Hotel is set in a restored 17th century Flemish style convent. All bedrooms are arranged around a glass roofed internal courtyard. The hotel has a... More Info
La Piscine image ©Arnaud Loubry
Paris from £229
3 Nights 3* hotel
+ Eurostar
Bruges from £174
2 Nights 4* hotel
+ Eurostar & Train
Amsterdam
from £315
3 Nights 5* hotel
+ Train
