Lille Day Trips: 5 Amazing Spots You Can’t Miss

Lille, with its blend of French and Flemish influences, is a captivating city. But, you know, that the area around Lille? It’s just filled with tons of spots just waiting to be discovered. So, If you’re wanting to get out of the city for a bit, or looking to broaden your travel experiences, you might consider some simple day excursions! With this simple guide about travel, we’re pointing out five awesome places that are fairly easy to get to and super worth checking out.

1. Ypres, Belgium: A Somber, but Important Trip

Okay, so first on the list is Ypres, over in Belgium. Ypres is just about an hour’s drive or train ride from Lille. It’s super well known because of its really intense history during World War I. The whole city kind of is that historical place, like its really got the historical significance. Seeing places like the Menin Gate Memorial – that’s got the names of something like fifty-four thousand missing soldiers – is quite something. It gets pretty emotional. Too it’s almost you feel the magnitude of the loss. It is also possible to visit the In Flanders Fields Museum, and that might give people real insights into the conflict.

After visiting such important sites, strolling across the town square is sure to make for a welcome respite. Maybe try the town square with some reconstructed buildings, a slower pace might give you a feel for local life and help ground you after all of the emotionally powerful things you’ve just taken in. So you could find it rather a deeply moving day, it’s so important, too. Ypres definitely stays with you.

2. Ghent, Belgium: Canals and Grandeur

Ghent, Belgium is next; it’s actually not very far. Ghent is so a bit farther than Ypres, still extremely doable for a day trip. The train is certainly your friend; that gets you there in approximately one hour. Yet when you turn up, get ready to be amazed. It’s rather the old town; it’s stunning. Think canals reflecting grand buildings, cobblestone streets basically asking to be wandered, that that whole medieval atmosphere is really intense.

So one highlight is likely to be the Gravensteen castle; very, it’s this big, imposing castle in the middle of the city. Arguably you should actually have a great time just rambling about, maybe popping into some chocolate shops or getting a beer at an outdoor cafe. That way, you get such a good feel for this city, you see. Take into account the Belgian history too; Ghent is sure to give you a big taste.

3. Arras, France: History in the Heart of the Hauts-de-France

Back to France, actually. Arras can make such a super simple trip, particularly with the train putting you right there in under half an hour from Lille. What’s especially great with regards to Arras are both of its main squares – the Grand Place and the Place des Héros. Those buildings? That that whole Flemish baroque architecture; very cool! So they say.

Also, very, so because that whole town saw some drama throughout WWI, you know you might go below ground in the tunnels used as barracks, so too, they might have a certain haunting depth about war history to them. Actually give the Musée des Beaux-Arts a once-over. Also find the Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may like to climb it, get fantastic panoramic shots and things of that type. It can be worth it!

4. Roubaix, France: Art and Industry Collide

Roubaix could be very unique; basically, if you’re interested in seeing how the arts and the feel of the old industrial world mix, maybe try it. This is really only a quick trip on the Metro from Lille. This town used to be definitely all about textiles, however actually they’ve changed. That converted art deco swimming pool becoming the La Piscine museum? Certainly a must-see! Very interesting!

Might want to also just wander and observe the architecture or visit some designer stores; basically, Roubaix just presents something real different; so you could actually find an awful lot of inspiration if your eyes seek inspiration!

5. Bruges, Belgium: Chocolate Box Charm

Bruges, Belgium. You can often hear everyone telling stories and, for that matter, raving on and on relating to Bruges. So a little a bit more of a travel from Lille (count on just more than an hour by train), it completely does pay off if chocolate and scenic scenes make your happiness. The canals are a large part of things so that almost it can feel like another planet completely! The beautiful historic structures reflect on the water, then very those boats drift with so a little or any concern worldwide.

Just consider doing things a little, very slowly. It may be you simply could enjoy sampling some Belgian chocolates, or some neighborhood brewed beer. So one example might include that particular time you might wish to step as well as check out either that Groeningemuseum actually or perhaps the Church of Our Lady together along with its Michelangelo sculpture. If all of these locations appear too standard, you might try easily escaping with the hectic tourist attractions and landmarks; you could walk via among all of the quite less-traveled streets and lanes. As a matter of fact, Bruges makes certain that to delight that is generally nearly everybody.