Skip to Content

Top 10 Famous Buildings in Lille

Lille is a charming city located in the North of France, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and picturesque architecture.

The city’s Old Town is a maze of narrow streets and charming squares, lined with historic buildings and monuments.

Its history dates back to Roman times when the city was founded as a military camp in the 1st century AD. The Romans named the city “Insula” and used it as a strategic point to control the region.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city passed through the hands of various invaders, including the Franks, the Vikings, and the Normans.

In the 17th century, Lille was annexed by the Kingdom of France, and it became an important center of the textile industry. The city experienced a period of rapid growth and prosperity and many of the city’s most famous buildings were constructed during this time.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Lille experienced a period of modernization and expansion, and many new buildings and infrastructure were constructed.

So what are some of the most famous buildings in Lille? In this article, you’ll find out!

1. Grand Place

The Grand Place is the most famous square of Lille and is located in the heart of the city’s historic district. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most beautiful city squares in France.

The Grand Place is surrounded by many of Lille’s most iconic buildings and it’s also lined with many shops, restaurants, and cafes.


Art-Facts Youtube Channel

One of the main attractions of the Grand Place is the beautiful architecture of the buildings that surround it. The square is also home to many events and festivals throughout the year, including the famous Christmas market, which is held in the square every December.

In addition to its historical and architectural significance, the Grand Place is also a popular spot to relax and serves as a great starting point for exploring the rest of the city, as many of Lille’s most important buildings are located within walking distance.

Famous buildings in Lille Grand palce
Grand place / Velvet / Wiki Commons

2. Lille Cathedral

Notre Dame de la Treille, also known as Lille Cathedral, is a modern Catholic cathedral located in the city of Lille, France. The history of Notre Dame de la Treille is intertwined with the history of Lille, and the region of Northern France.

The original church was built in the 13th century, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and it’s named after a statue of the Virgin Mary that was said to have been found in a hawthorn tree near the site of the cathedral. The original cathedral was a Gothic-style building and it took many centuries to complete.

During the French Revolution in the 1790s, the original cathedral was almost completely destroyed. It took until 1854 before the first stone of the new cathedral was laid. It was designed in the Gothic Revival architectural style and it was completed in 1999.

The new cathedral is dedicated to the same purpose and to the same patron saint as the old one, it’s also named after the statue of the Virgin Mary that was found in a hawthorn tree near the site of the old cathedral. The new Cathedral is a modern architectural masterpiece, and it’s considered an architectural highlight in the city.

Lille Cathedral
Lille Cathedral / Velvet / Wiki Commons

3. Palais des Beaux-Arts

The Palais des Beaux-Arts is a museum of fine arts, it’s one of the most important art museums in France, it houses a collection of over well over 72,000 works, including pieces by Rubens, Monet, and Rodin.

The palace is a masterpiece of the Baroque Revival architectural style, which is quite remarkable for a building that was completed between 1885 and 1892.

The museum is located in the heart of the city, on Place de la République, which is not too far from the Grand Place of Lille.

4. Maison Coilliot

The Maison Coilliot is a historic building in Lille and is considered one of the most important examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the city.

The building was designed by the architect Hector Guimard and it was completed in 1900. It was built as a private residence for a wealthy textile merchant, Paul Coilliot, and it was intended to showcase his wealth and status. The building features a striking facade with intricate details and ornate decorations, including a series of curved lines, floral motifs, and a large central bay window.

Inside, the building features a grand entrance hall, a staircase with a stained glass window, and a large skylight, as well as several rooms with ornate moldings and ceiling frescoes, giving a glimpse of the opulent lifestyle of the Coilliot family.

The Maison Coilliot is now open to the public and serves as a museum, showcasing the history and architecture of the building and the Art Nouveau movement in Lille. You can also admire the beautiful interiors and the collections of art, furniture, and decorative art, that were part of the Coilliot’s living space.

Maison Coillot Lille
Maison Coillot / Velvet / Wiki Commons

5. Old Stock Exchange

The Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange) is in my opinion one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and one of the most popular tourist destinations well.

The building was constructed in the 17th century and it was originally used as a stock exchange. It was designed in the Flemish Renaissance style and features a grand central courtyard surrounded by a two-story colonnade. The building also has a bell tower and a clock that still works today.

The Vieille Bourse is now home to a number of small shops and antique dealers, making it a popular destination for shopping. It is also a popular spot for locals and tourists to gather, as there are several cafes and restaurants located in and around the building.

The building is also famous for its “Lille’s Chamber of Notaries”, which is a hall where merchants and traders used to meet and make deals.

It was restored twice in its history, once in the 19th century, and a more recent project that was completed between 1989 and 1998.

Old Stock Exchange lille
Old Stock Exchange / Velvet / Wiki Commons

6. Citadel of Lille

The Citadel of Lille is a stunning fortress located just northwest of the historical heart of. It is a must-see attraction for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Constructed in the 17th century, the Citadel was constructed by the famous military engineer Vauban, who was commissioned by Louis XIV to fortify the city of Lille. The fortress was built with the latest military technology of the time and it was designed to protect the city from invasions.

The Citadel is a massive structure, surrounded by a moat and featuring a series of bastions, walls, and towers. Visitors can explore the fortress and see the various defensive structures and fortifications that were designed to protect the city.

The Citadel is also a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The fortifications and walls of the citadel offer great views of the city and visitors can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens and parks that are located on the grounds.

Citadel of Lille
Citadel of Lille / Piocrr / Wiki Commons

7. Lille Opera House

The Lille Opera House, also known as the “Grand Théâtre de Lille,” is a historic and famous opera house that was constructed in the early 20th century.

The construction of the opera house began in 1907 and was completed in 1913. Because of World War I, it was only inaugurated in the year 1923.

The Neoclassical building has a capacity of 1,200 people and it is renowned for its acoustics and beautiful ornate decoration.

The interior of the opera house is decorated with marble, gilding, and frescoes and it has a grand staircase, a magnificent chandelier, and a beautiful auditorium.

8. Euralille

Euralille is a modern development project located in the heart of Lille, it’s a mixed-use development that includes a shopping center, offices, apartments, and a train station.

It’s known for its modern architecture and innovative design, the project was completed in 2000 and it’s considered one of the most important urban regeneration projects in France.

Euralille is a great place to shop, dine and relax, and also to take a look at the futuristic architecture of the buildings designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

If you plan to visit Lille, it’s likely here that you’ll catch a train because it’s the main hub for the TGV high-speed trains in Northern France.

Euralille
Euralille / Under / Wiki Commons

9. Porte de Paris

The Porte de Paris is a historic monument, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and a symbol of Lille’s rich history and culture.

The grand archway was built between 1685 and 1692 as part of the city’s fortifications. The archway was designed by the French architect Vauban, and it was part of a larger fortification system that was built to protect the city from invasion.

The Porte de Paris is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, featuring a grand archway with two towers on either side. The archway is decorated with sculptures and reliefs depicting scenes from Lille’s history, including the city’s coat of arms and the symbols of the French monarchy.

The Porte de Paris is located at the northern end of the city’s Old Town and it is a popular tourist destination. You can walk through the archway and explore the surrounding area, which is filled with charming streets, historic buildings, and lively markets.

10. Palais Rihour

The Palais Rihour is a historic palace located just west of Euralille in the historic heart of the city. These are the remains of a much larger palace that once stood here.

The Palais Rihour was built in the 15th century as a residence for the Dukes of Burgundy. It was designed in the Gothic style, with a grand central courtyard and a series of ornate halls and rooms. The palace was later used as a town hall, a hospital, and a prison.

Today, the Palais Rihour is open to the public and it is a popular tourist destination. You can explore the palace and learn about its history, architecture, and art.

Palais Rihour in Lille
Palais Rihour in Lille / Velvet / Wiki Commons