A full day at Lille Christmas Market
Lille Christmas Market is a fantastic place to experience the magic of Christmas.
Spend a full day in Lille, exploring the beautiful Christmas Market. You can start your day with a visit to the Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral and admire the wonderful architecture before moving on to the Christmas Market itself.
The market boasts of over 70 chalets that showcase artisanal arts and crafts, festive decorations, and local food and drinks.
Take a stroll through the market and get a taste of the local delicacies like the famous Maroilles cheese, the traditional gingerbread spiced cookies, and the delicious mulled wine. In the evening, head to the Ferris wheel in the Place Rihour and enjoy a spectacular view of the city.
Finally, end your day on a high note at the Grand Place, where you will witness a spectacular sound and light show that tells the story of Lille and its impressive history.
After five years, it was finally time to visit some other Christmas markets in Europe.
Our journey took us to Lille in France, Bruxelles in Belgium, and Aachen, Cologne and Frankfurt in Germany. We had to take multiple train rides and stay in different hotels as we traveled to each city.
Our journey began in Paris, where we experienced the chilly weather before taking the TGV train to Lille, which had a fast connection with the French capital.
Making the Most of your day visit to Lille ,France
Christmas Market
For more than 30 years, the Christmas Market, also known as the Village de Noël Lille, has been a popular festive event in Northern France, drawing thousands of visitors from France and beyond.
Despite not being the most well-known holiday destination in France, Lille boasts an impressive array of holiday light displays and Christmas markets. Visitors can expect to find mulled wine, shimmering lights, and a magnificent fifty-foot tree adorned with sparkling Christmas lights.
Whether you’re interested in what to see or how to get there, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the Christmas market!
Things to know before visiting the Christmas Market
The Christmas Market is a magical time of year, filled with twinkling lights, delicious treats, and unique gift ideas. To make the most out of your experience, there are a few things you should know before visiting.
*Research the market beforehand to ensure you don’t miss out on any must-see attractions or special events.
*Dress warmly when visiting the markets, especially as the wind can make it very cold outside. Do bring gloves, thick socks, a wooly hat, and an umbrella to keep yourself protected.
*Since the streets of Brussels are cobbled, it is best to wear waterproof and comfortable shoes.
*I recommended that you bring a tote or shoulder bag to hold your belongings. Some Kiosks don’t have paper bags to give.
*Be cautious of pickpocketing incidents and keep your valuables to a minimum. I bought a leather wallet that can be worn around your neck and under your coat.
*Battery life in phones and cameras can be affected by colder temperatures, so make sure to keep your phone charged.
*Most kiosks do not have machines to pay with your debit or Visa card, while some do.
*At European Christmas markets, it is common to pay a deposit for your cup with your drink. You can reuse the cup throughout the market and then choose to keep it as a souvenir or return it at any drink stall for a refund on your deposit.
The Christmas Market (Village de Noël) will take place from November 22 to December 31
From Monday to Thursday: 11 – 8pm
Friday and Saturday : 10 – 10pm
Sunday (december) : 10am – 8pm
December 24th: 11 – 6pm, closed on December 25th
The stalls are closed earlier on the 24 and 30 December: 06:00 pm. Exceptionally closed on December 25
How to get to the Lille Christmas market
*There are two entrances to the Lille Christmas Village: the primary one on Rue Jean Roisin and the secondary one on Rue de la Vieille Comédie.
Please follow the line and show the security guards your belongings before you enter.
The square of Place Rihour, which is close to the famous Grand Place and the location of the Ferris wheel, has been home to the Christmas market since 1996.
The closest metro station is “Place Rihour” on Line 1, which runs from the metro station “Gare Lille Flandres” in the direction of CHU-Eurasanté.
You arrive in front of a beautiful house with decorations on all the windows.
Go to Gare Lille Flandres if you want to get as close to the Lille Christmas Village as you can. There are two train stations in Lille, just 400 meters apart.
If traveling via metro, get off at the “Place Rihour” station and head towards CHU – Eurasanté on Line 1. The bus or the tram, depending on where you’re leaving from, are other options. You need a transport ticket or an account to use Ilevia Transit.
The Christmas Market Food
Pretzel
One local source claims that the ideal pretzel should have a texture that is in between that of bread and brioche, meaning that it should give easily when you bite into it and encourage leisurely chewing so you can enjoy the cozy feel and well balanced doughy saltiness.
There are pretzel sandwiches, cheesy pretzels, sweet bretzels, and salty pretzels available.
Sauerkraut aka “La Choucroute”
Most French/German Christmas markets provide this meal, which is typically served with meat (pork, hot dogs, sausages, and potatoes, of course).
Belgian Waffle
Everybody knows the waffle.These dense Belgian waffles are a favorite street dish as well as at Christmas markets. Nutella and sugar-dusted whipped cream (à la Chantilly) are popular toppings.
Pain D’épices
This popular spiced bread, especially around Christmas, is pain d’épices. It’s called gingerbread in several web recipes since it resembles gingerbread a lot.
Mulled Wine
Another popular traditional seasonal beverage is spiced wine, or mulled wine, which is particularly popular at Christmas markets. It’s also a traditional drink at Christmas markets all around Europe. It is known as vin chaud (hot wine).
Things to do (that aren’t Christmas Markets)
The beautiful city of Lille, in Northern France, is the capital of the region Haut de France.
While in Lille, you will be astonished by the beauty of the Old Town with the lively streets and many buildings listed as Historical Monuments. You will love Lille if you love art, history, and delicious food.
*The Old Town
The Old Town is a picturesque place, with its stunning Flemish architecture illuminated by sparkling lights. During the Christmas season, the shop windows are adorned with creative displays, making it a shopper’s paradise with a range of options for every taste and budget.
After shopping, Old Town is still worth visiting for its historical monuments, charming cobblestone alleyways, and galleries or antique stores. It is also the best place to find the biggest names in fashion and design.
You can enjoy the beauty of Lille’s lively streets and historical buildings if you love art, history, and delicious food.
*Notre Dame de la Treille Cathedral
The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille (French: Basilique-cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille de Lille), is a Roman Catholic church and basilica and the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Lille. An example of Gothic Revival architecture, the cathedral is considered a national cathédrale
Open from 10.30 am to 6.15pm
*Place De L,Europe
One of the most beautiful and renowned places to visit in the charming city of Lille is definitely the Place De L’Europe.
This picturesque square is located in the heart of the city and it is famous for its unique architecture, stunning fountains, and the beautiful trees that line its edges.
Visitors who have had the pleasure of visiting this lovely location have described it as a “true gem” and a “must-see” for anyone who is touring the city. From this central point, you can also easily access some of the top tourist attractions, restaurants, and shops in Lille.
So, if you are planning a trip to Lille, make sure to add a stop at the Place De L’Europe to your itinerary and discover the beauty and charm of this enchanting square.
A huge shopping center located between the two train stations. *The Prismark Store…. The prices are very good.
Hotel
*The Staff is very friendly, room are very clean and comfortable.
*It was reasonably priced .
*It is located between two train stations.
* You can walk to the old town-the Christmas market and the shopping center.
Novotel Suites Lille Europe
Boulevard De Turin, Lille, 59000, France
“This market is very small, so I suggest avoiding it on Sundays when it becomes overly crowded, making it difficult to walk up to kiosks to see what they have in their booth.
However, despite its size, the market boasts a picturesque setting, a wide variety of stalls, and delicious food offerings, all of which truly capture the spirit of the holiday season.
Based on my personal experience, I wouldn’t visit this market again. However, if you happen to visit the town, it may be worth checking out.
**If you plan on visiting multiple Christmas markets like us, I suggest purchasing your train tickets online through the SNCF Connect website. It is easy and faster, especially if you are running at the last minute.
***Fun Fact-The town is very dark until 8 am, which I was not aware of.
Absolutely love these recommendations! 😊 Your photos capture the festive spirit beautifully. Can’t wait to follow your advice and explore the Lille Christmas Market. Thanks for sharing the magic! 🎄✨
Thanks.I am glad you love it :o)