Budget Travel Ideas in Lille

Lille Budget Travel isn't particularly notable, but nonetheless, one can still see Lille cheaply. Having shrugged its reputation as an industrial city, Lille is now known for its Palais des Beaux-Arts as well as its being an international rail hub. Budget travelers will enjoy Lille's old quarters and lively student districts.

Budget Travel Musts  

As a medium-sized city, Lille is easy to get around in. With a mass transit system comprised of a metro, trams and buses, one can get practically anywhere for cheap. Some interesting things to do are:  

• Visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts . An ornate building that houses many French and Flemish masterpieces. Pl. de la Republique. Closed on Tuesdays. 10 € /7.
• Stroll the stalls of the Marche des Wazemmes , open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Pick through items for sale during the Braderie (yard sale) Street Fair in September. Make sure to pick up from vendors some mussels and fries, a regional specialty.
• Peruse the used book stores at the Vieille Bourse in between Lille's 2 most important squares, Place General-de-Gaulle and Place du Theatre.

Where to Sleep  

Lille offers a moderate selection of budget accommodations. Two of these choices include:  

• Auberge de Jeunesse or Lille Hostel. Part of the Hostels International (HI) network. 24-hour reception. Rates start at 17.70€. Breakfast included. 12 r. Malpart.
• Mister Bed City Lille. A simple hotel in a central location. Doubles start at around 50€. 57 rue de Bethune.

Where to Eat and Drink

If you miss the all-you-can buffets at home, you should check out Le Flams located at 8 rue du Pas. For around 12€ you may enjoy endless Alsacian specialty pizza (fresh cream, onions and bits of bacon on thin crust. Another option is La Pate Brisee in the old part of Lille, where menus (2 to 3 courses) start at 8€. Located at 65 r. de la Monnaie, a quiet location.   Students are always seen around the city, and you may find them mostly at the pubs of Rue Solferino and Rue Massena. Kebab vendors on this street are open late into the night.   Other budget bars to highlight are:

• The Drugstore. 6€ cocktails during happy hours. 21 rue Royale.
• Pub Mac Ewan's. 150 different beers , starting at 2€. 8 place Sebastopol.