A Travel Price Comparison for France Lille vs. Chartres for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Lille or Chartres?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lille or Chartres, 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 under-rated, fascinating, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Lille and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lille or Chartres?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lille than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Also, Lille is famous for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Lille different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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 Chartres? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Lille is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lille or Chartres?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Lille draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Lille or Chartres as a family destination.

Lille is not the most family-friendly destination. 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.

Chartres is not always a place people visit with their families. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for Couples?

Lille and Chartres are both notable 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.

Chartres is a good city for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lille and Chartres are notable 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.

Chartres is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Lille or Chartres Better for Students?

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

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Both Lille and Chartres offer very good 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.

Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Is Lille or Chartres a more walkable city?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Lille?

How long in Lille or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lille or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lille than Chartres 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 Chartres.

Families should spend more time in Lille than Chartres. 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 Chartres. 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 Chartres 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 Chartres?

The beautiful city of Lille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, many people enjoy the food and museums that this spectacular 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 Chartres?

Lille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Lille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Lille or Chartres?

Lille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find museums and food around the grand destination of Chartres. 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 Chartres, we can see that Chartres 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 Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lille or Chartres?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Lille and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Chartres in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lille as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lille is cooler than Chartres in the summer. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chartres. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. In the summer, Lille often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets more rain in July than Chartres. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Chartres in the Autumn?

Both Chartres and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Lille is around the same temperature as Chartres. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lille in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Chartres averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

In October, Lille usually receives more rain than Chartres. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lille or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Lille during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. The weather in Lille can be very cold. In January, Lille is generally cooler than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 3°C (38°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Lille often gets less sunshine than Chartres. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Lille usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chartres. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lille or Chartres in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Chartres. The natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm.

Lille is cooler than Chartres in the spring. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Chartres during spring. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chartres. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Lille