A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Lille for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Lille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Saint-Etienne and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lille than Saint-Etienne. Lille is bigger than Saint-Etienne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its museums and hiking. Lille is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Also, Lille is famous for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Saint-Etienne different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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 Saint-Etienne or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lille is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Lille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Couples?

Lille is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille 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, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Lille?

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this industrial destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the cultural destination of Lille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Lille. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful city of Lille. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Lille, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Lille?

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 Saint-Etienne or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Lille. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Lille. The winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

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

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Lille. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Saint-Etienne