Famous for its sparkly gold Eiffel Tower, romantic Montmartre district, and beautiful Belle époque architecture, we can see why millions of travelers will be flocking to Paris this winter.
Maybe it’s the incredible cuisine for some, or the host of world-renowned museums, but one thing is clear: Paris and its surging crowds, not to mention the staggeringly-high prices, are not for the faint of heart, much less the less affluent.
If you’re keen on experiencing French culture, a.k.a marveling at stately Haussmann buildings and eating more cheese than you’d think would be humanly possible, but you’re not exactly willing to go broke in pursuing that worthy endeavor, we have an alternative:
Just Like Paris, Except Smaller And Maybe Even Prettier?
Lille is the capital of Hauts-de-France, the most Northerly region of France, bordering Belgium, and one of the country’s most celebrated cultural hotspots, even though it’s not often on the radar of a first-time visitor––well, here’s why it should be on yours:
With a fascinating History comprising at least 1,384 years, Lille has survived many a war, the rise and fall of several consecutive empires, and it’s even changed allegiance once or twice in line with the political mood of past turbulent times.
We won’t bore you with the ins and outs of it, but you should know it’s precisely its ever-changing nature that makes it so inherently fascinating: from the Burgundian State to the Holy Roman Empire (of Germany) to a Spanish-controlled Netherlands, everyone wanted to fix their flagpole here.
France had the upper hand, of course, but all it takes is a wander down the charming historic center, locally known as Vieux Lille, to notice how the Flemish influences are very much prevalent, still––we’re a short 25-minute drive from Dutch-speaking Belgium, after all.
Lille Is One Of The Most Beautiful Cities In France
Lille was a rich, Flemish merchant hub in the Middle Ages, and all around its medieval core, you’ll find centuries-old brick houses, lush botanical gardens, and cobbled lanes that lead to picturesque squares, most notably Place du Général-de-Gaulle, the city’s main meeting point.
Taking a page out of the book of Belgium’s grand-places, the square is flanked by ornate civic structures, that are nearly all listed as historical monuments, most notably the Old Stock Exchange and the Neo-Mannerist headquarters of La Voix du Nord, a traditional Flemish newspaper.
Besides the obvious historical charm, and the countless postcard-ready streets, you may be wondering what’s Lille’s cultural relevance.
Ever flown into Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris?
In case you weren’t aware, it is named after one of the most emblematic members of the French Pantheon of heroes, Charles de Gaulle, a military man who led France in its struggle against Nazi Germany and is credited with having restored democracy.
What To See And Do In Lille
Not only has France’s busiest airport taken its name after General de Gaulle, but countless voies, institutions and public squares all across the country, including Lille’s own grand-place: well, it turns out he was born in Lille, of all places, and you can visit his birthplace at 9 rue Princesse.
Unlike other French cities, Lille suffered substantial damage in World War II and it doesn’t have an old, richly-decorated Catholic temple to call its own, settling for a Neo-Gothic, less-than-impressive Lille Cathedral instead, but it does play host to the so-called Queen of Citadels:
Designed by 17th-century military engineer Vauban, the Citadel of Lille is a remarkable monument due to its size and state of preservation, and costing only €11, or $12.19 to visit, it’s a must-see for culture buffs who might have been disappointed in Paris’ lack of city fortifications.
Other landmark buildings include the Lille Synagogue, one of the last-surviving in the historical Flanders following World War II, characterized by its Romanesque-Byzantine Revival style, and the Baroque Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the finest, and largest art museums in France.
A Big Choice Of Incredible Restaurants
No visit to Lille is complete without a tour of the city’s diverse restaurant scene, which includes Franco-Flemish offerings, as well as Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern, Indian, Chinese, and any ethnic cuisine that might be a favorite of yours.
For an unforgettable dining experience, and quintessentially French, at that, make sure to add Le Rococo to your list of places to eat at: the timeless decor is something out of a dream, and you just can’t go wrong with some foie gras, steak and creme brûlée.
For Italian, we highly recommend you try La Bellezza: once again, magnificent interior, with numerous heritage memorabilia and vintage items on display, and delicious pasta served––the menu changes every month, but anything burrata of theirs will be a solid pick.
Last but certainly not least, Villa De Tsing Tao is the Asian-French fusion you didn’t know you needed, with generous portions––if you’re asking us, we’d go for their steamy, spicy noodle soups––and a big choice of French wine.
Lille Is Cheaper Than Paris!
Lille already has the culture, the fascinating History, the architectural wealth, and the delectable food to go with it––to top it off, it is significantly cheaper to visit than Paris!
According to Budget Your Trip, tourists should plan to spend an average $286 per day visiting the City of Lights, including accommodation, food, and transportation: Paris is huge and attractions are spread out over a wide area, so you can get set back by $48 on unlimited metro access alone for two days.
Lille, on the other hand, is not as touristy, thus local restaurants and accommodation providers are not exactly shaking down tourists for their every last euro cent, and many of the landmarks are all concentrated in one or two particular areas, that are fairly walkable.
For comparison purposes, the expected total expenses during a trip to Lille, per day, mount up to $160, a whopping 78.7% cheaper than Paris, with the average price of meals being an acceptable $16.20, and mid-range hotels $121.
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