Stage 1: from Lille to Lille

Getting to and from Lille. Obviously, you’ll have booked what you’ve booked. Just some general observations. Gare Lille-Europe (Eurostar) is fairly central and on the Metro (line M2/red), about a three-minute walk/one Metro stop, from Gare Lille-Flandres, the regional hub. If you’re heading back on Eurostar, the actual international part of the station is quite small, so expect to queue. UK (and French) passport checks are done there. Once through, the lounge is small with a tiny ‘Relay’ shop: basic sandwiches, drinks, confectionary and cigarettes. No Duty Free.

If you’re travelling by bus (Flixbus, etc.) they stop and pick-up outside Lille-Europe.

By Road

If you’re arriving by ferry or Eurotunnel, it’s all fairly obvious. However, be aware that the major roads that approach and go through the city often have variable and/or constantly changing speed limits. So, you can quickly go from 130kph to 110 to 90 to 70. And there are lots of cameras which are quite hard to spot (Waze is pretty good). As stated earlier street parking in Lille is paid for in the centre. And there are quite a few, very central, underground car parks, for example underneath Grand’Place.

A better option would be to park at the 4 Cantons Metro station (free) and then take the Metro into the centre.

To be honest driving around Lille is getting harder and harder. There’s lots of pedestrianisation, and new bus and cycle lanes. I imagine with the Tour in town, it will be near impossible.

Crit Air sticker. If you are bringing your car in the city you will need a Crit Air Vignette (pollution). You can purchase them online here: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

And remember post-Brexit the rules on passport validity are being enforced. Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen (France) area

And at French border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation
• show proof of your travel insurance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay

The new ETIAS/EAS visa system keeps being delayed. There is talk of some roll out starting in November, so no issue for Tour de France visitors.

Airports

Lille-Lesquin is the city’s airport. Not a major hub. The closest major airports are Brussels and Paris-CDG.

Truthfully I haven’t stayed in many hotels in Lille because, err, I live here. But the magic of ChatGPT and a few freinds recommendations…

Outside of the city centre, it’s worth noting that there is quite a lot of hotels around LOSC’s stadium, the Decathlon Arena, in Villeneuve D’Ascq. Easily accessible by Metro to the centre.

✨ Top-End Hotels

L’Hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection

• Price Range: €250+ per night
• Why Stay: A stunning 5-star hotel blending history with modern luxury. Think vaulted ceilings, a spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant — right in the heart of Lille! Perfect for treating yourself during Tour de France festivities.

Hotel Barrière Lille

• Price Range: €200–€300 per night
• Why Stay: Sleek, modern, and just a short walk from Lille Europe train station. Bonus: there’s a casino and wellness center if you want some extra fun and relaxation after a day at the race!

😊 Mid-Range Comfort

OKKO Hotels Lille Centre

• Price Range: €100–€150 per night
• Why Stay: Stylish rooms with a relaxed vibe. Plus, you get access to a comfy lounge where snacks and soft drinks are included — perfect for unwinding.

Hotel Kanaï

• Price Range: €90–€130 per night
• Why Stay: Right in the bustling shopping district, close to Grand Place. It’s cozy, modern, and you’ll be surrounded by cafes and restaurants.

💸 Budget-Friendly Gems

Mister Bed Lille Lomme

• Price Range: €50–€80 per night
• Why Stay: Basic but clean and convenient — a good choice if you want to save your money for souvenirs and local food!

B&B Hôtel Lille Centre Grand Palais

• Price Range: €60–€90 per night
• Why Stay: Reliable and simple, with easy access to the city center and the Tour de France action.

🏡 Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals

If you prefer a home-away-from-home, Lille has loads of Airbnb options:

• Charming Loft in Old Lille — From €120/night. Perfect for couples or small groups, right in the historic center.
• Studio Apartment Near Gare Lille Flandres — From €70/night. Ideal if you want to be close to transport and restaurants.
• Family Home with Garden — From €150/night. Great if you’re traveling with kids or a group of friends and want a little extra space to relax.

Quick Tips for Booking 📅

• Book early! With the Tour de France in town, places will fill up fast.
• Check cancellation policies — just in case plans change.
• Look for places near the city centre or train stations to make getting around easier during the festivities.

Like all cities, Lille has its problems. There’s a lot of begging. Particularly around the station. Some mugging too. They’re organised and fast! The area around the station is particularly affected by it at night. If you’re flashing you kitty money around on the table outside a bar, be aware there’s a very resourceful and annoying accordion player who will quickly vanish it!

It’s a fairly clean city. The French are way ahead of the UK on recycling and litter collecting.

Most public toilets cost a euro. You’d be better off getting an espresso at a cafe and partaking of their facilities.

There’s a strong, heavily armed police presence in French cities, Gendarmes and Police Nationale. If you don’t cause them problems, they won’t cause you them! Plus be prepared to encounter military patrols. It’s normal, nothing to do with you lot! The Gendarmes are perfectly happy to have photos taken with them. I’d steer clear of the military. Remember to carry your ID at all times.

Remember, the Gendarmes are paramilitary. If there’s trouble, they will have NO qualms about wading in! You’ll be pepper sprayed within seconds.

It seems a fair assumption that there will be a massive police presence for the Tour de France.

Medical things. There are pharmacies everywhere (the French are hypochondriacs). Anything more serious – hopefully not ­– you need to get yourself to CHU, a huge university hospital complex; it’s on the Metro (line M1). Emergency dental service there too. France, like the UK, has a shortage of dentists, so that’s basically your only option.

If you’re bringing your bike here are some suggestions. At the most basic level, cycling around Lille is easy and safe. There are lots of bus lanes and cycle paths. An ever growing number in fact. But the city is busy and is surrounded by motorways which can make getting out of by bike a bit stressful.

Everywhere around here is very flat and once you are outside Lille there’s plenty of quiet roads to cycle. The obvious suggestion is to head off and ride some of the Paris-Roubaix route. My suggestion would be head out to ‘my’ town, Templeuve-en-Pevele by train from Gare Lille-Flandres, the Valenciennes line; takes about 15 minutes. There’s a famous stretch of cobbles, sector Moulin de Vertain, and other sections close by in Cysoing (sector Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle). If you look at the Paris-Roubaix route map you can see the various sectors. Usually quiet, and increasingly with dedicated cycle lanes, country roads connecting the sectors. Most towns will have Estaminets to eat at and cafés for refreshments.