A Travel Price Comparison for France Lyon vs. Lille for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Lyon or Lille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Lille, 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.

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a culinary, friendly, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Lyon and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Lille. Lyon is bigger than Lille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille is more popular for its shopping. Lyon is more touristy than Lille and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Lyon different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is very popular for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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 Lyon or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Lille can be difficult as they are each amazing in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Many restaurants in Lille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Lyon or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Lille are superb when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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.

Is Lyon or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its old town. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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 visitors explore the shopping areas in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Lyon or Lille Better for Families?

Lyon is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon or Lille Better for Couples?

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

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Lyon or Lille Better for Students?

Lyon is very popular for students. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

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

Lyon is very popular for its public transit. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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

Is Lyon or Lille a more walkable city?

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

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.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in Lille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Lille 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 Lyon.

One day in Lyon or Lille?

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife 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.

A weekend in Lyon or Lille?

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

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.

Five days in Lyon or Lille?

Lyon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural 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.

A week in Lyon or Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The under-rated city of Lille offers shopping and nightlife. 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.

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 Lyon and Lille, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Lille?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Lille, 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 Lyon or Lille?

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 Lyon or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Lyon is a little warmer than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. Lyon usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives less rain than Lille. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lyon is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Lille. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lille. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Lille. Many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. In January, Lyon is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Lyon usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Lille. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

Lyon is a little warmer than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Lille. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Lyon