What to do in Lille ?

Thanks to Nathan Leblond from the Spirals team in Lille for agreeing to share the webpage he built for the Discotec conference.

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Welcome to Lille, the vibrant heart of northern France, Capital of Flanders! While you’re here discussing comptuer security and privacy, why not distribute some joy among your taste buds and cultural senses? Here’s a quick guide to help you explore this charming city like a “Lillois”!

Lille’s Must-Try Beers and Bars

Best Beers Bars in Lille

Photo of “La Capsule” by Lille Addict on their website.

Lille is a beer lover’s paradise!

• La Capsule: Hidden in Old Lille, this cozy bar serves an impressive selection of craft beers. Perfect for geeky chats over hoppy ales.

• La Mousse Touch’: Located near the iconic Gare Saint-Sauveur, La Mousse Touch’ combines the best of both worlds: a microbrewery producing unique local beers (like their signature brew, “La Daron”) and a cozy bar with an extensive “bièrothèque” (beer library).

Best Wine Bars in Lille

Photo of “Les Frères Pinard” by Lille Addict on their website.

While Lille might not have vineyards on its slag heaps (yet), the city boasts some excellent wine bars. Here are our top picks for enjoying a great glass of wine:

• Les Frères Pinard: This wine bar and delicatessen, set in a charming red-brick space, presents its menu as a map of France. Wines, cheeses, and charcuterie are categorized by five major regions, letting you craft a custom-made, 100% French, high-quality aperitif to enjoy on-site or take away.

• Le Jaja: Located in the heart of Vieux-Lille, this wine bar features a stunning selection of wines and delectable sharing boards. With its cozy brick-and-wood decor, it’s a popular evening spot—reservations are recommended!

Best Bars for a Festive Vibe

Looking for a lively spot to sip your drink while dancing or singing along? Here’s a selection of bars where great music meets a fun atmosphere:

• L’Intervalle: Slightly tucked away from Rue Royale, this bar hosts frequent live music events, including a weekly gypsy jazz night every Thursday!

• Bistrot Saint So’: Known for its regular concerts, DJ sets, and apéromixes from Thursday to Saturday, this spot is a great choice. The only downside? The party wraps up at midnight.

• SoulTrain Café: A haven for lovers of black music classics, from soul to hip-hop and RnB. This chic spot also offers a stellar cocktail menu in a classy yet relaxed ambiance.

• Le Kremlin: Vodka enthusiasts, this Soviet-themed bar is for you. Quirky, memorable, and dangerously fun!

• La Pirogue: If vodka at Le Kremlin wasn’t your thing, maybe rum at La Pirogue will float your boat! This tropical gem in Old Lille serves up a world-class rum selection, from punchy cocktails to premium aged bottles, all in a laid-back island vibe. It’s like a Caribbean getaway

Best Bars for Games in Lille

Bars are already great places for socializing, but these spots take it a step further by offering fun and unique games beyond your usual darts or foosball:

• La Luck: Inspired by a concept from Montreal, the creators of this Vieux-Lille gem brought back the idea of a game bar with 700 board games, “sommeliers du jeu” to explain the rules, and a Canadian-inspired menu. Enjoy vegan or meaty poutine for dinner or maple syrup-drizzled pancakes for brunch on weekends!

Best Restaurants in Lille

From traditional estaminets to iconic desserts, Lille is a foodie paradise! Here’s a guide to some of the best spots to satisfy your cravings.

Traditional Estaminets

Photo of a table at “La Ch’tite Brigitte” by Lille Addict on their website.

• La Ch’tite Brigitte: Recently crowned the best estaminet in Lille by locals, this spot has quickly become a must-visit. Dive into regional specialties like the flamiche au maroilles, carbonnade, waterzoï, or the famous fricadelle. Their Welsh is a creative twist featuring Sablé de Wissant cheese!

• La Petite Table: A cozy family-run estaminet, this restaurant serves up regional classics like carbonnade flamande, potjevleesch, and a perfectly executed welsh (more traditionnal that former!). Pair these dishes with one of the 20 beers on offer for a true Northern experience.

• Les Compagnons de la Grappe: Tucked away near Place du Théâtre, this charming spot combines a relaxed vibe with traditional cuisine. Enjoy their daily specials, including carbonnade, grilled fish, and even vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Must-Try Desserts

Photo of "petits pouchins" from the official website.

Photo of a « Merveilleux de Fred »  from tendancefood on their website.

Photo of Meert waffles from their website.

• Les P’tits Pouchins - L’Ogre de Carrouselberg: A seasonal pastry masterpiece that evolves with time, this creation is a local treasure. It is composed of a small choux bun filled with a light Madagascar vanilla cream, subtly flavored with orange blossom. One bite and you’ll be hooked.

• Les Merveilleux de Fred: A true institution, Fred’s take on the classic merveilleux dessert is world-renowned. With delicate meringue and whipped cream perfection, it’s no surprise he now runs three shops in Lille and others worldwide.

• The Vanilla Waffles from Meert: A Lille icon, these Madagascar vanilla-filled waffles are as legendary as they are sweet. Perfect for indulging your sweet tooth!

Cultural Delights

Photo of La Gare Saint-Sauveur in the context of Lille3000 taken by Laurent Ghesquière on Lille3000’s website.

Expand your mind outside the conference:

• Lille 3000: Every three years, Lille transforms into a cultural playground for Lille3000, and 2025 promises to be no exception. Running throughout the summer, this vibrant festival brings together art, music, dance, and immersive installations, turning the city into an open-air exhibition.

• Palais des Beaux-Arts: One of France’s largest art museums, filled with masterpieces. A must for both art buffs and air-conditioning enthusiasts.

• Parc de la Citadelle: Need fresh air? This sprawling green space is perfect for a run, stroll, or philosophizing about distributed systems.

• La Gare Saint-Sauveur: A repurposed train station that’s now a hub for contemporary art, quirky exhibitions, and lively events. This June, it will be a major venue for Lille3000 2025.

• Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse: Nestled in the heart of Old Lille, this former medieval hospital-turned-museum offers a unique glimpse into the city’s history. Wander through its beautiful Flemish-style architecture while admiring artworks, period furniture, and fascinating relics of Lille’s past.

• Maison Natale Charles de Gaulle: Visit the birthplace of France’s iconic leader, now a museum showcasing his life and legacy. Bonus: It’s located in a charming cobblestone area of Lille.

• Lille Piano Festival (12-14th June): Staying a bit after the event? The Lille Piano Festival takes place over the week-end with gifted performers playing piano, organ, accordion, oud, strings, voice, drums, and guitar. There is something for everyone.

Quick Tips

• Say “Bonjour!” to everyone, even bartenders. It’s the magic password to French politeness.
• Try a maroilles cheese tart. It smells intense but tastes divine.
• Don’t leave without exploring Old Lille’s cobblestone streets!