The capital of (French) Flanders is full of cultural activities, interesting monuments, and fun activities to do together. To give you some inspiration, we’ve put together this list of activities to enjoy with your partner in Lille.
1) Visit the Lille Zoo
Go on a romantic stroll at the Lille Zoo, where you can observe many different animal species in adapted habitats.
The zoo is home to 88 different animal species, from red pandas to maned wolves. Even Pallas’s cats and yellow-crested cockatoos are available for your viewing pleasure!
It’s a great place to spend quality time with your partner.
Not sure when to visit? The zoo is open every day except Tuesdays and during its annual closure from November 14 to the first Saturday of the winter holidays.
You and your partner can munch on ice cream, crepes, or waffles from the Cabane Gourmande as you walk.
If your partner enjoys gifts, you can also stop by the zoo’s boutique where you can, for example, buy them an adorable stuffed animal.
2) Walk near the Citadel
What could be better than a romantic stroll in a beautiful park?
The Parc de la Citadelle is a must-see place in the city, dotted with beautiful scenery and monuments that will spark your curiosity about the history of the city.
Within it, you can find “The Queen of the Citadels“, which Louis XIV commissioned between 1667 and 1670 after his conquest of the previously Spanish occupied city.
The citadel has fulfilled its role wonderfully – it protected France during the sieges of 1708 and 1792.
If you wish to visit its interior, be sure to make a reservation with the Tourist Office of Lille. The citadel opens its doors on Sundays in July and August (except July 3 and August 14) at 3pm and 4:30pm.
Even if you don’t enter the citadel, we recommend venturing into the huge park that houses both the citadel and a remarkable amount of biodiversity.
You will pass by the Charles de Gaulle Memorial, a work of art created by the sculptor Eugène Dodeigne.
A stroll through the park will also allow you to discover the Monument des Fusillés lillois, which honors members of the Jacquet Committee who were executed for helping French and English soldiers escape from the city during the First World War.
You might also see the Monument aux Pigeons Voyageurs, dedicated to the pigeon fanciers who died during the First World War.
There are several other monuments in the park as well, each of which will provide an interesting stop during your romantic stroll.
3) Visit Lille in a 2CV
Do you want to visit the city with your partner and an expert guide?
Take a tour in a car straight out of the history books: the 2CV! You won’t find anything more original.
During this unforgettable experience, you will learn more about the city and its monuments from the anecdotes and stories shared by your driver.
In addition, you can choose one of several different packages to surprise your loved one, such as a champagne break or even a meal in a restaurant!
You can even buy a regional basket and enjoy a delicious Flemish waffle.
Don’t forget to take pictures!
Information and booking (website in French)
4) Try virtual reality
With its growing popularity in recent years, virtual reality is an experience that you must try at least once in your life.
So why not try a virtual reality session with your partner?
The Virtual Room Lille team offers 45 minute experiences in virtual reality.
Put on your helmet and pick up your controllers before immersing yourself in one of the four available scenarios.
Save the Earth, play as a zombie, travel through time, and explore the worlds of iconic arcade games!
Of course, each of these experiences is collaborative: you will have to communicate with your partner to complete your mission.
It’s a great idea if you want to strengthen your bond with your partner.
Information and booking (website in French)
5) Rent an electric scooter
If you want to explore the city in a fun way, this activity is just what you need.
Rent electric scooters and explore Lille with your partner!
You can rent them for 1 hour, 2 hours, or even 3 hours.
If you are interested, you can take a guided ride to be sure you don’t miss anything the city has to offer.
Renting a scooter allows you to fully enjoy the city without having to worry about a car.
Important note: a deposit is required for the rental, so plan ahead.
Information and booking (website in French)
6) An art therapy session at the Palais des Beaux Arts
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Many couples like to visit art museums no matter what city they are in.
If you are one of these couples, Lille contains several museums with collections that are worth a few hours of your time.
The Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille, inaugurated in 1892, has pieces that date from prehistoric times to the present day.
Works by Eugene Delacroix and Michelangelo await you inside this magnificent palace, which is the ideal place for a romantic outing.
Looking for a more personalized experience? Sign up for an art therapy workshop, which will allow you to express your artistic talent while being inspired by the works of art in the museum.
You will be accompanied by an art therapist who will encourage you to express your emotions on paper.
This is an ideal activity if your partner appreciates art.
Information and booking (website in French)
7) See a play
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Are you a theater lover? Why don’t you take your lover to marvel at a comedic or dramatic play?
Lille is a very cultural city. You will certainly find what you are looking for at one of the city’s fifteen theaters!
Stop by the Théâtre Sébastopol (website in French), inaugurated in 1903, to see a play in a spacious and intimate setting. The program includes theater, opera, shows, comedy, concerts, and even dance productions.
You can also visit the Théâtre du Nord (website in French), which is renowned for its quality theatrical programming. It is located on the Grand’Place, where the Grand’Garde, a royal guard corps in charge of monitoring the city, was housed beginning in 1717. In 1989, the building became a theater.
Theater is a great way to experience an emotional moment during your romantic outing.
8) Admire the city at night from the Ferris wheel
Are you looking for the perfect place to declare your love? Look no further.
Climb into a gondola with your partner as the sun sets, or wait until after nightfall to get a great view of the city at night.
When you reach the highest point at 50 meters above the ground, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to propose or simply tell your partner how much they mean to you.
The Grand’Roue of Lille is installed every year during Christmastime on the Place du Général de Gaulle.
In 1988, construction on the Grand’Place caused visitors to avoid Old Lille. In response, the managers of the Grand’Roue decided to install it in the city center, which was a completely new phenomenon at the time!
9) Create a unique perfume
Looking for a unique experience to enjoy with your partner?
Craft a unique perfume for just the two of you.
Over the course of two hours, Caroline will introduce you to many scents in order to help you perfectly blend them as she shares her passion for affordable perfume creation.
Did you know that there is a balance that must be found to create a good perfume?
This is exactly the balance Caroline will teach you about, and at the end of the course you will make your own perfume from your own blend of scents.
What could be more romantic than making a perfume that uniquely suits you and your partner?
Information and booking (website in French)
10) Relax in the Vauban Garden
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If you prefer to relax in a natural setting, head to the Vauban Garden.
This romantic English-style garden is dotted with large clearings and ponds where you can spend the day relaxing.
It was created in 1863 by Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps, who was a landscape architect and the chief gardener of the city of Paris. It is very popular among the people of Lille.
In the center of the garden you will find a puppet theater, Le P’tit Jacques (website in French), which puts on shows from April to October.
All in all, it’s the perfect place for a nice little picnic with your partner.
11) Introduce yourself to silk-screen printing
How would you like to make a unique poster for your partner?
That’s what Thomas will teach you to do during your four hours of silk-screen printing training.
You will be introduced to the basics of silk-screen printing, the materials used, and the key steps of the screen printing process.
You will then be able to create your own design, choose two colors, print it, and leave with ten copies of your creation.
Why not create a design that represents you as a couple and display it in your apartment or home?
Whatever you choose to draw, you’re sure to have a great time!
Information and booking (website in French)
12) Stroll in the old town of Lille
Would you like to learn more about the city while walking with your other half?
Take a walk through the streets of Vieux-Lille, which will take you back in time with architecture dating from the 14th to the 20th century.
You will discover an impressive artistic and cultural life as well as restaurants and bars to relax in.
Designated as a remarkable heritage site in 1980, Vieux-Lille is home to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Treille Cathedral (website in French), a true architectural gem that is worth seeing at least once in your life.
In the street right in front of the cathedral, you can even offer your partner ice cream at the Glacier Pedone (website in French).
You’ll love looking up in this beautiful neighborhood.
13) Make a ceramic coffee set
If you enjoy working with your hands, you might enjoy working with stoneware to make a beautiful set of ceramic coffee cups.
Your advisor for this two hour workshop is Chloé, a young graduate who is happy to teach you all about ceramics and design standards.
You will be introduced to both the coiling technique and the plate technique, and when your design is finished you will bake your creation so that you will be able to use it.
If you want to offer an original gift to your partner, something useful can really stand out!
Information and booking (website in French)
14) Discover the Vieille Bourse
While you are in Lille, don’t forget to pass by the Grand’Place.
Take a few pictures with your lover while sitting by the fountain of the Column of the Goddess, which commemorates the 1792 siege.
Then go to the Vieille Bourse, which is located right in front of the Chamber of Commerce, the Nouvelle Bourse.
This monument from the 17th century once housed the union of merchants of the city of Lille. Today, the Vieille Bourse is considered by many to be the city’s most beautiful monument.
Nowadays you can go there for events: a second-hand book market, chess competitions, and tango evenings at 11pm every Sunday evening between July and mid-September.
15) Visit the Confiserie du Pré Catelan
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Bring your other half to the Maison du Nougat (website in French) and learn how nougat is made from master nougat makers!
Witness the traditional cooking of nougat in copper cauldrons, then watch the nougat being poured. Finally, you will get to see how the nougat is cut – it’s a satisfying and very olfactory experience!
In addition, you will have the opportunity to make your own assortment and leave with a nice gift.
Open since 1925, the Confiserie du Pré Catelan is worth a visit if you like nougat.
You can even take some home to enjoy with your loved one later!
Information and booking (website in French)
16) Learn stone cutting
Though we are often unaware of it in modern societies, stone cutting has played a key role in our civilizations since the beginning of time.
If you enjoy learning new things with your partner, don’t miss the opportunity to discover this age-old craft.
In this six hour workshop, you will transform a stone into a specific object while learning many stone cutting techniques.
You will use all the basic tools of the stonemason, including the stone chisel, the polka, the barley grain cutter, the railroad, the rasp, and the claw.
While stone cutting can be a physically demanding activity, it is well worth it: you and your partner will leave with a one-of-a-kind stone paperweight.
Information and booking (website in French)
17) Make your own mozzarella
Cooking is an essential skill for every family. Why not show your loved one your domestic side while you learn something together?
During a mozzarella making workshop, you can learn the art from someone who grew up in Italy!
Your guide for the workshop is Giorgio, who opened his own cheese factory in France. He will guide you through the precise and rigorous process of making your own cheese.
At the end of the workshop, you will be treated to a tasting of Italian cheeses and cold cuts.
If you are looking to introduce your partner to something new, this is an ideal activity.
Information and booking (website in French)
18) Eat in a chic restaurant with your partner
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Going to a restaurant for a date is a timeless tradition.
If you’re looking for a chic restaurant to impress your partner, we recommend Aromebase (website in French), which offers a reasonably priced lunch menu without compromising the quality of the service or the food. You can enjoy one of two themed menus, Arôme Terre and Arôme Mer, or you can even mix the two!
For a more quirky trip, visit Jet Lag, a restaurant with atypical decorations. You will feel like you are traveling as you dine since its design is based on a plane! It is also the perfect place to taste the cuisine of different cultures.
If you want a romantic dinner, head to Bacio Divino, an Italian restaurant where you can enjoy classic Italian childhood recipes.
Regardless of what restaurant you choose, a dinner date is always an ideal setting for declaring your love, rekindling it, or simply maintaining it.
19) Go to the movies together
The movies are another staple among romantic outings. Watching a movie with someone you love while sharing popcorn is a great way to bond, especially if it is a romantic movie.
If you decide to see a scary movie, you might have an excuse to snuggle close to your partner!
Here is a list of movie theaters in Lille to help you find the one that best suits you.
For a unique cinematic experience, we recommend the Cinéma l’Univers, which offers associative projects. The theater opened to the public in 1991, but soon closed again in 1993. In 1999, l’Univers (website in French) reopened its doors as an associative programming collective.
20) Attend a stand-up show
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What’s better than having a good laugh with your partner?
Several comedy clubs await you in Lille.
The Spotlight (website in French) invites you (starting at 5pm) to order a drink at the bar to enjoy during the show. Careers are launched in this small, friendly-looking room with an open stage that brings comedians closer to the audience.
For a wider variety of comedy, we recommend the Comédie de Lille (website in French) and its loaded, quality program that offers not only stand-up but also comedic plays.
Laughter is always a good way to spend a nice evening!
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
