Lille Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Lille

Nicknamed in France the "Capital of Flanders", Lille and its surroundings belong to the historical region of Romance Flanders. Legend has it that in 620 AD, Salvaert, Prince of Dijon, passed through the region with his pregnant wife when he was attacked and killed by the local lord Phinaert The Giant. Years later, his son Lyderic avenged his father by killing the Giant and founded the city of Lille, in 640 AD.

The name "Lille" stems from the Latin word "Insula," which means "island," alluding to the city's beginnings as an island amidst the marshes of the Deûle River.

A garrison town (as evidenced by its formidable Citadel), Lille has had an eventful history from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution. Very often besieged throughout the centuries, it belonged successively to the Burgundian State, the Holy Roman Empire of Germany, and the Spanish Netherlands. This was until in 1668 Lille was attached to the Kingdom of France under Louis XIV. The city again was under siege in 1792 during the Franco-Austrian War, and in 1914 and 1940, and was severely tested by the two world wars of the 20th century during which it was occupied and suffered destruction.

A merchant city since its origins and a manufacturing city since the 16th century, Lille emerged as a thriving hub during the Industrial Revolution centered around textile and mechanical production. The decline of the 1960s prompted a thorough conversion of the city in the 1990s giving it a totally new look.

The historic center of Lille, the Old Town, is characterized by its 17th-century red brick townhouses and paved pedestrian streets. The heart of Lille comes alive at the Main Square (Grande Place) surrounded by ornate buildings and the charming Ferrets of the North Bookstore (Librairie Furet du Nord), one of Europe's largest bookstores.

The belfry of the Lille City Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Lille) is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Art enthusiasts will be enthralled by the Palace of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts), boasting an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.

Other major landmarks include the Lille Cathedral, a stunning Gothic masterpiece.

Lille effortlessly combines its storied past with modern vibrancy. By the grace of Eurostar and the TGV, it is now within easy reach of London, Paris, or Brussels. It can be done on a weekend, which will be unforgettable. So, why wait? Embark on your own adventure today and discover the enchanting world of Lille!

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Velvet.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Lille

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Lille Introduction Walking Tour
Guide Location: France » Lille (See other walking tours in Lille)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

1) Porte de Paris (Paris Gate)

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Fred Romero.

2) Beffroi de l'Hôtel de ville de Lille (Belfry of Lille Town Hall Belfry) (must see)

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Patrick.

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Lille?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Lille Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Lille?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Lille, France

Create Your Own Walk in Lille

Creating your own self-guided walk in Lille is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Lille's Historical Buildings Tour

Historically, Lille's architecture differs from that of other French cities. Prior to being invaded by Louis XIV in 1667, Lille was Flemish, which is evident in its red-brick and other structures, quite uncommon for the rest of France.

Among many things, Lille is reputed for its fabulous historic center, abounding in time-honored buildings, palaces, and churches, offering a great deal of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles