You Arrived in Lille Without a Plan: Let's Start with the "Here" Free Tour

No one comes to France for Lille. And yet, people stay.

This city was once the richest in France, then the poorest, and today it has a Louis Vuitton store in its historic center. That’s the story I’m going to tell you. I’m Mexican; I’ve been living in Lille for three years and am pursuing my Ph.D. here. I take this tour very seriously. I’ve already guided 285 people.

We’ll walk for two hours through Vieux Lille, the Grand Place, the Opera House, the Vieille Bourse, Place aux Oignons, and the cathedral. I’ll tell you why this city fell into decline and how it rose again, and by the end, you’ll see the square in a whole new light.

At the end, I’ll give you my recommendations: where to eat, what to do with the rest of your weekend, and where to go if you have an extra day. That’s the part people appreciate the most.

The tour is free, and at the end, you decide if it was worth it and how much it’s worth. I’d prefer you decide that after the two hours, not before.

If you’re looking for a quick photo tour, this isn’t the one for you. If you want to understand what you’re seeing, I’ll see you in the square :)