14 trips around Lille

Are you in Lille and want to explore the region for a day? Here are the 14 walks around Lille that we recommend!

What walks do around Lille? The beautiful city of the North has its style well to it that brings it closer to Belgian and French cities. It must be said that Lille has been influenced by Flemish culture for many centuries, its architecture proves it as the name of Grand Place as the main square of the city.

The places of interest around Lille also recall this Flemish heritage. But, whether in France or Belgium, everyone is unique and everyone deserves a one-day trip outside the capital of the Hauts-de-France. Wanderlix offers you to travel in the lilloise region to discover its hidden treasures.

Here are the 14 rides around Lille that we selected!

1. Cross and Roubaix

Famous for his Villa Cavrois, Cross is a visit around Lille that turns out to be interesting for those who love the architecture of modern villas. As for Roubaix, located a few metro stations, it is the La Piscine Museum that will keep your attention, with its more than original setting for an expo: a real swimming pool!

2. Lens

We know better Lens for its football club than to be one of the most beautiful walks around Lille. Yet, the city of Sang and Or welcomes the not less famous Louvre-Lens museum, an antenna of the famous Parisian museum. Lake Glissoire is also a place for picnics and rest.

For those who are trafficked, don’t hesitate to visit the First World War memorials located in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire south of Lens. A superb museum and a trench kept to collect.

3. Bethune

Bethunes is part of these walks around Lille for those who especially love the architecture of Flemish cities. With its belfry planted in the middle of the Grand Place, the place is astonishing and enchanting at once. A very nice place where you can quietly sit for a coffee or lunch.

The city centre is just as friendly and, a few minutes’ walk, you can go to the water station, green lung of the city, a place suitable for walks and sport with its street workout self-service.

4. Arras

Arras is a must-see walk around Lille. Apart from this, it is objectively the most beautiful city in the department. With its belfry and Grand Place, the Flemish Gothic Architecture shines and we love to stroll around for a few hours.

But the beautiful city is also known for its Abbey Saint-Vaast, which today hosts the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lille, as well as its Wellington career, a place of memory and a network of underground galleries dating from the First World War. What's your day doing?

5. Dunkirk and the beach of Malo-les-Bains

For a walk around Lille, many would not advise you Dunkerque. The reputation of a ugly city continues. We will not lie, it is not without foundation. However, Dunkerque has other assets that must not be obscured.

First of all, its beach of Malo-les-Bains, known as the Queen of the North Beaches, is the most beautiful of the coast. Then his Dynamo Operation Museum made famous by the film Dunkerque , released in 2017, is exciting. And the inhabitants are more than friendly!

6. Hiking at Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park

A walk around Lille for those who love hiking. This natural park is indeed the place for walking in the forest. With its marked trails, its small stream and its buildings or remains here and there, we have to venture and discover.

Know that many places allow to picnic in nature. For those who prefer the restaurant, there is also a choice.

7. Gravelines Beach (Petit-Fort-Philippe)

The beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe, located in Gravelines, is a visit around Lille for a beach day. Multiple activities await you on site, for children and adults with water sports.

It is a beautiful sandy beach with quite clear water. On the other hand, swimming is only for the brave, because the temperature of the water usually does not exceed 18°C!

8. Visit of the Avesnois Regional Natural Park

This diverse natural park is a beautiful walk around Lille. In addition to hiking and walking around the lake, you can visit the village of Maroilles, made famous by its cheese with a singular smell. A restaurant offers only dishes at the Maroilles!

We are also very surprised to find a true Roman antique forum located in Bavay, a visit not to miss.

Côte d’Opale

9. Hiking at the Caps and Marais Regional Natural Park in Pale

This large park is especially renowned for its coast of Opale and hikes (prudentes!) along the cliffs that offer breathtaking landscapes. The famous Capes of Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez, located close to each other, are certainly the reward of the efforts provided. This is certainly the most beautiful view of the region for a stroll around Lille.

10. Nausicaá and Boulogne-sur-Mer

The city of Boulogne-sur-Mer houses Nausicaá, the national center of the sea, the largest aquarium in Europe and a must-see for those who love marine life. With over 1,600 species, the aquarium is home to an incredible diversity of animals.

As for the town centre of Boulogne, if there is nothing extraordinary in itself, it is all nice for a short walk.

11. Amiens

Here's a visit around Lille far enough. Yet the city of Amiens deserves a day dedicated to it. With its beautiful cathedral and city centre, from which you can see the clock Dewailly, the walk is very pleasant. We can also relax in Parc Saint-Pierre.

For the lover of the author Jules Verne, his last home is located in Amiens and has been transformed into a museum. Finally, the Amiens Zoo is an activity if you travel with your family.

Belgium

Lille is located very close to the Belgian border. This allows you to spend a day with our neighbours to discover some pretty cities.

12. Ypres

Ypres is one of the most beautiful walks around Lille, no doubt possible. Its Grand Place and its small town centre are typical of Flemish cities with its belfry, brick buildings and its pronounced Gothic style. We always discover a place, a café or a shop that we like in every little alley.

The In Flanders Fields Museum , in English in tribute to Canadian author John Mc Crae, traces part of the history of the First World War and is located on the Grand Place. Lighter for the spirit, the Bellewaerde amusement park is located in the east of the city, a mix between the Asterix Park and a zoo. Perfect for a family visit!

13. Courtrai (Kortrijk)

Here's a real heartburn! This walk around Lille allows you to discover a virtually unknown city, Courtrai, which is also known as the Dutch name, Kortrijk, the most spoken language in the city. Its city centre, with its Grand Place and its Beffroi, is classically beautiful as all Flemish cities and its crushing ( Begijnhof ) recalls the beautiful Bruges.

However, the main attractions of Courtrai are its two twin towers, the Broel Towers ( Broeltorens ). Vestiges of medieval fortifications, they were built in 1385 and 1415. A beautiful testimony of the medieval past of the city and a very photogenic place, which we strongly advise you to discover.

14. Ostend

To finish our selection, make a small turn at the North Sea. In fact, Ostend is renowned for its large sandy beach as we find few in the lilloise region. In the summer, the Sand Sculptures festival allows you to admire magnificent sandy achievements, some of which are truly impressive realism.

Then go to the top of the Dunes d’Ostende, where Fort Napoleon was built between 1811 and 1814 and became a military museum since his restoration in the late 1990s.