Your digital welcome book in Lille

Welcome to Lille, the capital of Flanders

So you've picked the capital of Flanders for your next getaway? Excellent choice! Lille is a city known for its warm welcome and its love of the good life . Famous for its Grande Braderie held every September, Lille is about far more than that. The city is packed with things to do , discoveries and local recommendations .

See Lille the practical way

If you're planning several paid activities such as museums, historic sites or theme parks, consider the City Pass. It is valid for 24 to 72 hours depending on the one you choose, and it will save you both time and money. It covers entry to 30 tourist sites and attractions in and around the city, as well as public transport. It costs 25 € and you'll need to add another 10 € per day if you want to keep it for longer than 24 hours. Rather a good idea, don't you think? Now that the logistics are out of the way, let's get to the heart of the matter.

Unmissable places to visit

The beating heart of the city: you simply have to go for a wander through old Lille . Remarkable for architecture quite unlike the other districts, it feels like a world of its own. Narrow cobbled streets, red-brick houses, restaurants, art galleries and shops on every corner. That's the atmosphere you'll find here. It's welcoming , pleasant and, on top of that, very pretty. It's a district particularly loved by locals and visitors alike! Do stop off at Notre-Dame de la Treille cathedral .

Head to the Grand'Place too, the heart of the city. If you visit other cities in northern Europe, you'll almost certainly feel you've seen this style of architecture before, in Brussels or Bruges for instance. Climb right to the top of the Town Hall Belfry . You can explore the inside and, once you reach the top, enjoy a 360° view over the whole of Lille and its surroundings. If you're keen on architecture, still in central Lille, you must stop at the old Bourse and its book market. After that, off to the Citadelle for a little history lesson. You'll discover a remarkably well-preserved spot that's lovely for a stroll. A few other places, such as the Hospice Comtesse , the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle , belong on your list if you want to get the full measure of the city.

Local food and drink

Now let's talk about local food and drink . (Agreed, it's our favourite part too ;) ). The markets in Vieux-Lille and Wazemmes are unmissable for their atmosphere and the quality of their produce. Beer lover? You're in the right place! Take the time to try plenty of local and Belgian beers in one of the city's many brasseries. And why not sample some proper regional dishes while you're there? Potjevleesch , carbonnade flamande , welsh , Maroilles tart. This region is certainly not short on character! For those with more of a sweet tooth, we'll let you choose (or not: have both ) between a merveilleux from Fred or the waffles at Maison Meert .

Do add your own favourite spots to your welcome book alongside the legendary addresses. If you're ever unsure, or you don't know what to put in a particular category, take a look at our Lille welcome book. We've created an example welcome book so you can get an idea of what the finished result looks like. The point of the welcome book is to set out everything you love as clearly as possible, so you can share it with your visitors. At StyQR, it's all about sharing.