A Travel Price Comparison for France Lille vs. Cannes for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Lille or Cannes?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Cannes, 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 fascinating, cultural, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Lille and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Cannes?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Lille. While Lille is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Lille is known for its museums. Cannes is more touristy than Lille and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Lille is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Lille different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lille is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Lille offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Lille and Cannes offer terrific local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Many restaurants in Cannes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are excellent in both Lille and Cannes.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Cannes has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Cannes The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is very popular for its resorts. However, Lille is not a resort destination.

Cannes offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Lille is not a resort destination.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cannes has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is notable for the beache. However, Lille is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cannes. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Lille and Cannes both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Lille to see the historical old town. 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.

Cannes is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Cannes?

Both Lille and Cannes are terrific shopping destinations.

The abundance of shops in Lille make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many people travel to Cannes specifically to go shopping. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Families?

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

Cannes is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

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 Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Cannes has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Lille or Cannes Better for Students?

Lille is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes 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.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Lille is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lille offers a very effecient public transportation network. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Lille or Cannes a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Lille 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.

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Lille?

How long in Lille or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Lille or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cannes due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Lille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Cannes 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 Cannes?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Cannes, many people enjoy the live music and food that this lavish destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort 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 Cannes?

Lille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Cannes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cannes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lille or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the culinary destination of Lille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the glitzy destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lille and Cannes, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cannes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cannes than you might in Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Lille or Cannes?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Lille and Cannes, 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 Cannes?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lille or Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lille is cooler than Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lille in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Lille usually receives more rain than Cannes. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lille or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Lille during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In October, Lille is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 12°C (54°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lille usually gets less rain in October than Cannes. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Cannes. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. Lille is much colder than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Lille usually receives less rain than Cannes. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lille or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lille as well as Cannes. Many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lille is much colder than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lille in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Lille usually gets less rain in April than Cannes. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Lille