10 Best Day Trips From Lille, France - Updated 2024

day trips from lille
William
William 
Updated
| 4 min read

Lille is an exceptional town. Its attractions include museums, botanical gardens, and amusement parks, making it a preferred travel destination for people of all ages. Besides that, it is easily accessible on foot as well as by cars, buses, and trains. While the city itself has a lot to offer, it’s always good to explore neighboring towns too. A perfect way to do so is by embarking on day trips. Visit scenic areas like Abbeville, Guise, and Arras, and create amazing memories. One thing is certain though, you’ll have an awesome time exploring these destinations! Check out our suggestions for the best day trips from Lille, France.

1. Dunkirk, France

55855-Dunkerque
Source: Photo by user xiquinhosilva used under CC BY 2.0

Travel north about 95 kilometers (59 miles) from Lille to Dunkirk, a coastal town that has a lot to see, do and indulge in. Apart from road transport, you can reach here via train too. The city is the third-largest port in France and a year-round travel destination. Visit Dunkirk’s attractions such as Malo-les-Bains beach, Port Museum of Dunkirk, and Fort Louis Park and indulge in fun recreational activities. As a vibrant town, Dunkirk has something for everyone!

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2. Arras, France

Arras, France
Source: Photo by user openroads.com used under CC BY 2.0

Arras is situated south of Lille. It is famous for its architecture, historical background, and unique way of life. The easiest method to get to Arras is by car, which takes approximately 45 minutes. If you’re a history lover, then this is an ideal travel destination for you as it’s heavily endowed with historic sites like museums and landmarks dating back several centuries. Some places of interest here include Abbey of Saint-Vaast, Grand'Place, and Heroes Square.

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3. Le Touquet, France

Le Touquet-Paris-Plage - Le petit train pour les touristes
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Openroads.com used under CC BY 2.0

About two hours’ drive from Lille will get you to Le Touquet, a beautiful seaside town in northern France that is definitely worth exploring. With a population of just over 4000, it is well-known for its thrilling water sport activities, lively nightlife, and sandy beaches. Indulge in fun leisure activities like shopping, food tours, and swimming in the city’s recreational sites and create memories that will last a lifetime. Interestingly, there are more than 11 trains plying daily on the Lille - Le Touquet route.

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4. Guise, France

Guise - familistère ; palais social, aile est (11)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Fab5669 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Guise boasts being the agricultural hub of the northern region of Aisne in France. Established in the 10th century, it is home to amazing attractions like Familistere de Guise, Aquoisia, and Chateau-Fort de Guise that you can visit to pass time and indulge in fun leisure activities. A drive from Lille to this town will take about one and a half hours, passing through the country’s beautiful landscape. And since it has so many attractions, you might need more than a day to explore them all. Nonetheless, if you’re looking to spend a night in the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the numerous accommodations at your disposal, including motels, hostels, and cottages.

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5. Roubaix, France

Banque France Roubaix 7
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chabe01 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Lille is the beautiful city of Roubaix that is definitely worth visiting. It is home to welcoming people, interesting attractions, and fun things to do. Some must-visit places in the town include Villa Cavrois, La Piscine Museum, Canal de Roubaix, and La Manufacture that are frequented by both locals and tourists. It’s also a shopping destination, with trading centers selling assorted products like clothes, shoes, and perfumes.

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6. Lens, France

Louvre Lens, France
Source: Photo by user Carole Raddato used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Lens was once famous for its mining activities and football team, but now it’s home to numerous, unique museums. If you like history, this is a must-visit destination in France. It’ll only take you about 35 minutes by car from Lille. You can also use other means of transport like trains and airplanes to access this city. On arrival, wander around the city, admiring its attractions that include museums, memorial parks, churches, and shopping malls. People from diverse backgrounds reside in Lens, so you’re sure to have an array of food and drinks to sample here. Try out local cuisines like cassoulet, flamiche, and ratatouille.

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7. Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
Source: Photo by user openroads.com used under CC BY 2.0

This city prides itself on being the biggest fishing harbor in France. If you’re a marine life lover, then this city will excite you as it has an aquarium that houses numerous marine creatures, including sharks and otters. From Lille, it’ll only take you about one and a half hours to reach this coastal city. Among its numerous tourist sites are Casa San Martin and nearby attractions include Column of the Grande Armee and Fort Mahon. Additionally, you can visit museums and art galleries to learn about the region’s history.

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8. Lambersart, France

La fameuse gaufre Meert
Source: Photo by user Frédérique Voisin... used under CC BY 2.0

Embark on a quick 10-15 minutes’ drive to Lambersart from Lille and enjoy yourself in a town that dates back to the 12th century. You’ll be in for a mix of contemporary and ancient hidden gems that are not only spectacular but budget-friendly too. Some charming places of interest to visit here include Avenue de l'Hippodrome, Saint Gerard Castle park, and more. In addition, admire the unique and attractive architecture of the buildings located in different parts of the town. Don’t forget to sample local and international cuisines at the numerous food joints in the area.

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9. Abbeville, France

Abbeville Beffroi 2005-09-29
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Noplay used under CC SA 1.0

Situated along River Somme, this commune is blessed with attractions like historical sites, leisure facilities, and landmark institutions. Some places of interest in the area include The Park Bouvaque, Bird Reserve of Grand Laviers, Belfry of Abbeville, and more, where you can indulge in recreational activities like hiking, swimming, and shopping. Adding to its allure is the beautiful landscape that you see while traveling from Lille. It’ll only take you two hours to arrive at Abbeville from Lille by car. You can also take a train but it takes a longer time.

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10. Amiens, France

Amiens France Cathedral-seen-from-Quai-Belu-01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CEphoto, Uwe Aranas used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Famous for its textile industries and Amiens Cathedral (Notre Dame Cathedral), Amiens is a must-visit tourist destination in France. It’s only 140 kilometers (87 miles) or less than two hours by car from Lille. With a thriving population, you can be sure that there’s a lot that goes on in this vibrant city. Some recreational activities to indulge in include food and wine tours, picnicking, eating out, and shopping in the city’s many shopping centers and eateries. Since it is a scenic location, you can enjoy taking pictures or videos of various attractions like Bonvallet Woods, Maison du Sagittaire, and Bois Magneux.

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Exciting escapes from Lille

Whether you’re into long journeys or a short trip out of town, above are destinations from Lille that you can travel to. So, hop on the next train, bus or taxi and hit the road!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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William believes that we should strive to make the world a better place. He's passionate about landscapes, the ocean, and people. When not traveling, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and planning for...Read more

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