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

Should you visit Lille or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Caen, 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 cultural, culinary, and friendly city. Lille is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Lille travel costs.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife. See Caen travel costs.

Lille and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Caen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and big city activities. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Lille different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Caen 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 Caen?

Caen is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lille. 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 Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Lille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Lille or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Lille has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Lille or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Caen?

Lille is renowned for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Lille. 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lille or Caen More Beautiful?

Lille is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lille is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is all about the historic architecture, which give it a lot of beauty. The buildings in the old town have very ornate details.

Caen is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lille or Caen Better for Families?

Lille and Caen are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Lille is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Lille or Caen Better for Couples?

Lille and Caen are both nice 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.

Caen is a good city for couples to visit. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Lille or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lille and Caen are nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lille. 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.

Caen is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Lille or Caen Better for Students?

Lille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Many students visit Lille. 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Both Lille and Caen offer great public transit options.

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

Caen offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Lille or Caen a more walkable city?

Lille is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Lille. 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Lille?

How long in Lille or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lille and Caen. In our opinion, Lille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Lille than Caen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lille, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

Couples should spend more time in Lille than Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Caen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Lille or Caen?

Lille is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under-rated destination of Lille. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Lille or Caen?

The historic city of Lille offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find nightlife and food around the important destination of Caen. 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 Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lille or Caen?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Lille and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Lille during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lille is generally around the same temperature as Caen. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 17°C (63°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lille. In the summer, Lille often gets less sunshine than Caen. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Caen. Many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

Lille is around the same temperature as Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lille usually receives more rain than Caen. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lille or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lille as well as Caen. Most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Lille can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Lille is much colder than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lille in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lille often gets less sunshine than Caen. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets less rain in January than Caen. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In April, Lille is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 8°C (47°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Caen. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Lille