With a Eurostar low cost to burn after our journey to Paris, I’d been torn between a brief break in Brussels and what there was to do in Lille with youngsters.
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For those who’re considering that Belgium has the sting with frites, waffles and chocolate (and moules for me), this a part of northern France is shut sufficient that I wouldn’t go in need of these in Lille both .
However together with the well-known Christmas market, excellent for kids, these are the highest eight issues to do in Lille for youths year-round.
The Zoo
In centre of the Bois de la Citadelle, there are 70 completely different species on this little zoo, together with rhino and zebras and (my private favorite) lemurs, plus parrots and monkeys. Whereas it’s largely smaller animals, this additionally sounds excellent for toddlers and youthful youngsters who’ll love seeing the pink panda and meerkats.
And as entry is simply 6 Euros for adults, and three Euros for youths aged over 5, it gained’t break the financial institution both. There are restricted opening hours outdoors peak season, so it’s value checking earlier than you go to – and the zoo is closed on Tuesdays too.
It’s round a 20-minute stroll from Lille’s outdated city (or barely extra when you’re visiting Lille with a toddler!)
Cita Parc
Additionally throughout the Citadelle park, this amusement park changed Parc Les Poussins, with 8,000 sq. metres of house to discover together with plenty of rides and points of interest together with ones when you’re visiting Lille with toddlers.
Youthful ones can journey the forest practice or there are mild animal-themed rides, in addition to water rides and rollercoasters to find at Cita Parc.
For those who’re in search of free issues to do in Lille, the park itself is open to wander round however for Cita Parc, you’ll want tickets, obtainable on-line or on the day.
Single tickets price 3 Euros or you should buy packs of 10, 20 and 30, with 10 tickets priced 27 Euros in addition to an infinite day cross for 17 Euros (solely obtainable on the web site and legitimate for that day solely).
Opening occasions differ through the 12 months – outdoors peak season, it’s open on Wednesdays and weekends, in addition to college holidays.
For those who’re in search of conventional French carousels – undoubtedly one for any record of Lille youngsters’s actions, I feel – there’s typically one in the primary sq. to take pleasure in, together with a ferris wheel in winter.
The Pure Historical past Museum
EDIT: Closed for renovations – reopening tbc Typically it looks like each metropolis of any dimension has a pure historical past museum, however who cares after they’re at all times a success with youngsters.
With large sperm whale and blue whale skeletons, there’s a lot to grow old youngsters eager about the setting with now extinct wolves from the Pas de Calais and polar bears.
There are additionally dinosaur fossils, bugs, and momentary exhibitions to find in addition to actions for youths – youngsters as much as 12 are free, whereas it’s lower than 4 euros for adults (or 5 when particular exhibitions are operating).
The Pure Historical past Museum is one among 27 points of interest included within the Lille Metropolis Move, with 24h, 48h, and 72h choices, in addition to passes together with public transport
Palais des Beaux-Arts
The most important museum in France outdoors Paris, you possibly can borrow tablets (carry ID) with video games and knowledge aimed toward youngsters aged six to 12 as you tour the museum.
There’s additionally an app and separate video tour, plus you possibly can try the highlights earlier than you go to. In addition to the artwork, there’s are typically momentary exhibitions, earlier ones have been created in collaboration with the Louvre and British Museum.
Entry to the Palais des Beaux-Arts prices 7 Euros for adults, free for under-12s (in any other case 4 Euros for age 12+) and it’s additionally free after 4.30pm every day.
Older youngsters can even take pleasure in visiting La Piscine, transformed from an outdated textiles manufacturing facility right into a lodge with a pool – the Artwork Deco masterpiece has been preserved and is now used as an artwork gallery. Anticipate shows within the outdated altering rooms, for instance.
Puppet theatre
Within the Jardin Vauban, there’s a standard marionette theatre which has performances from April to October. Exterior these occasions, you possibly can nonetheless wander previous the grotto and waterfall, with twisty little fairytale paths – the gardens at the moment are a historic monument.
It’s simply throughout the river from the Citadelle park which is gorgeous at any time of 12 months in Lille for kids.
See the town highlights
Though I’m usually one thing of a fan of open-top bus excursions to get your bearings in a metropolis, I’ve tended to do fewer with a wriggly toddler – and Lille is compact sufficient to discover on foot, even with a buggy.
However when you fancy seeing all of the websites of Lille with youngsters in simply over an hour, that is the way in which to do it.
Or when you’d slightly keep on foot, how about making your explorations a part of an interactive journey with the Lille Metropolis Sport. Appropriate for age 6+, you get tablets with a string of challenges and puzzles to tackle as you discover the streets of Lille.
Have candy treats
Truthfully, whereas museums and amusement parks are improbable, when you’re visiting Lille with toddlers, the possibility to have a gauffre (waffle) or Flemish gingerbread is doubtlessly the spotlight of the journey. Meert was one among France’s first patisseries, opening in 1761, so it’s virtually a historical past lesson, plus you get to see Lille’s outdated city.
However Aux Merveilleux de Fred is one other high spot for a candy deal with, with meringues and brioche on the menus in addition to the marvellous ‘merveilleux’ creations themselves – whipped cream and meringue sprinkled with chocolate (or different toppings).
Lille is France’s fourth greatest metropolis, so that you gained’t be in need of selection for locations to eat with youngsters – as you’re in northern France, the emphasis in all places is on hearty filling meals, which suggests stews like Carbonnade Flamande, cheese (together with raclette) and chips with every little thing.
And whereas I can’t think about my daughter consuming this, Le Welsh is the dish to have in Lille – like a supercharged Welsh rarebit, with beersoaked bread, ham and much of melted cheese all baked collectively.
You may also take a meals strolling tour of Lille, together with a number of candy treats, if you wish to strive as a lot as attainable throughout a brief break in Lille with youngsters
Purchase souvenirs
Once more, I wouldn’t often add procuring to a listing of issues to do in Lille with household, however Le Petit Souk would possibly persuade me to make an exception.
A store filled with stuff you by no means knew you wished however all of a sudden desperately need, it might backfire barely when you’re travelling on a funds with a tempting toy assortment, enormously fashionable youngsters’ garments and a few slightly fabulous homewares.
*First revealed 2014, up to date 2026*
THINGS TO DO IN LILLE WITH KIDS: PIN FOR LATER
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