A Travel Price Comparison for France Lille vs. Auxerre for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Lille or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Auxerre, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Lille and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille. Although Lille and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Lille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is known for its museums and small town charm. Lille is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also home to Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Lille different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and Lille. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lille or Auxerre?

Auxerre is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Auxerre offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is the Food Better in Lille or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Lille is great for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Lille for the nightlife scene. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Lille is great for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Auxerre?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Families?

Auxerre is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Auxerre is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Lille and Auxerre are both good to visit as a couple.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Auxerre is a good city for couples to visit. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Lille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Students?

Lille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is Lille or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lille is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

The public transit in Lille can get you to most places easily. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Lille or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Lille Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Lille?

How long in Lille or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lille or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lille than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lille, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

Families should spend more time in Auxerre than Lille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auxerre, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lille than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lille that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lille.

One day in Lille or Auxerre?

In Lille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Auxerre, many people enjoy the food and museums that this authentic destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lille or Auxerre?

In Lille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lille has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lille or Auxerre?

Lille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Auxerre is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Auxerre. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lille or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Lille and Auxerre, we can see that Lille is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lille Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lille or Auxerre?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Lille and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Lille or Auxerre?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lille or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lille as well as Auxerre. Most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lille is around the same temperature as Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lille in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. In the summer, Lille often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In October, Lille is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 12°C (54°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Auxerre during autumn. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lille usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lille or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Lille during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Auxerre. It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. Lille is around the same temperature as Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Lille often gets less sunshine than Auxerre. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Auxerre. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Auxerre. Many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Lille is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lille in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Lille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during spring. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lille usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Lille