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

Should you visit Saint-Tropez or Lille?

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

Should I visit Saint-Tropez or Lille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a extravagant, luxurious, and glamourous resort town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

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.

Saint-Tropez and Lille: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint-Tropez than Lille, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint-Tropez is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Lille is more popular for its museums, food, and historical sights. Saint-Tropez is more touristy than Lille and is known for its trendy beach clubs around the Bay of Pampelonne, as well as its popularity with celebrities and the extravagantly wealthy. Also, Saint-Tropez is famous for The Old Port. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

The Old Port

How is Saint-Tropez different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lille is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Tropez or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Saint-Tropez is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is all about the local flavors. You'll find plenty of local seafood as well as local organic meats, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and truffles. Cheese is a common ingredient as well. There are many different soups and stews, and bouillabaisse is a common fish soup found in the restaurants around town. Daube is another popular stew that is made with beef. Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole that has made a name for itself both inside and outside of France. And, of course, you have to try the local salads and pastries. Because it's such a touristy area, there are many restaurants geared specifically to the tourists, many of which are overpriced.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Tropez is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Saint-Tropez is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It is a place to see and be seen, so if you're looking for A-list celebrities, glamourous yacht parties, and ritzy dance clubs, then this is your place. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. The best season to come and party is during the summer months, but you'll still find plenty to do throughout the year.

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Resorts?

Saint-Tropez is very popular for its resorts. However, Lille is not a resort destination.

Saint-Tropez offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Luxury and extravagance is what this resort town is all about. If you have the money to spend, you'll have no trouble finding a glamourous villa or luxury hotel where you can relax, party, or soak up the French Riviera sun.

Lille is not a resort destination.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Saint-Tropez is very popular for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Saint-Tropez specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The Gulf of Saint Tropez is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive along the French Riviera. There are wreck dives including the most famous, The Rubis, a submarine that is surrounded by marine life. Although you're not allowed to enter the vessel, there is still plenty to see. There are also plenty of dive spots that feature rock formations, schools of fish, and lobsters.

Lille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Beaches?

Saint-Tropez is notable for the beache. However, Lille is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint-Tropez. The beaches are frequented by celebrities, so you'll find plenty of glitz and glamour by the water. For some of the best beaches, you'll want to head a little out of town. The most famous beach in the area is Pampelonne Beach which is popular with Hollywood celebrities during the summer months. Bouillabaisse Beach is the place to go if you want to look at the yachts, but for a more natural setting head to Graniers Beach.

Lille is not a beach destination.

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

Lille is a great destination for its old town. However, Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Tropez or Lille?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lille and Saint-Tropez.

The abundance of shops in Saint-Tropez make it a world-class shopping destination. Surrounded by luxury, shopping is a must in this glamourous resort town. There are international luxury brands as well as local designer boutiques. Whether you're looking for yachting clothes, cigars, jewelry, or perfume, this is one of the best shopping destinations along the Cote d'Azur. Art is a particularly popular item to purchase while you're in town.

Many people travel to Lille specifically to go shopping. 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.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Families?

Saint-Tropez is very popular for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint-Tropez is an amazing family-friendly resort town to visit. With great beaches, several amusement parks, waterparks, and even Marineland, there are an endless supply of activities for kids. There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. For adventure lovers, there are a number of different watersports to try and if the weather isn't cooperating, there are a few good museums and other indoor activities as well.

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-Tropez or Lille Better for Couples?

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

Saint-Tropez has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Whether you're honeymooning or taking a short getaway to the French Riviera, this is a great option for couples. You can take a stroll at sunset, relax on one of the beautiful beaches, dine on local seafood, and soak up the rich local culture. The romance and beauty of this French Riviera city make it a world class romantic destination.

Lille is a good resort town 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 Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint-Tropez and Lille are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Saint-Tropez. For many backpackers it may seem cost prohibitive to visit the French Riviera, but for those with the money, it is well worth the splurge. You can save some money by staying outside of town or finding a vacation rental where you can cook meals. There are also hostels and rooms in local homes that come at a more reasonable price.

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.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a great destination for students. However, Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.

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

Lille is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Saint-Tropez offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects many parts of the area.

Is Saint-Tropez or Lille a more walkable city?

Saint-Tropez and Lille both are fantastic when exploring on foot.

Getting around Saint-Tropez on foot is easy. It's easy to explore many places on foot, passing by beautiful beaches, stunning views, impressive yachts, and glamourous villas.

Lille is a very easy resort town 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.

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

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

How long in Saint-Tropez or Lille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Tropez and Lille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint-Tropez than in Lille. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Tropez, and 1-3 days is enough time in Lille.

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

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

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

In Saint-Tropez, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this opulent destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town 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.

In Lille, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this culinary city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Saint-Tropez or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Tropez. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint-Tropez or Lille?

Saint-Tropez is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Saint-Tropez. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the fascinating destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint-Tropez or Lille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the extravagant destination of Saint-Tropez. 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.

Lille is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Tropez and Lille, we can see that Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Tropez or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Saint-Tropez. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Tropez 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-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez or Lille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Tropez and Lille. Many travelers come to Saint-Tropez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. In Saint-Tropez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Tropez usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Saint-Tropez gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Tropez as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Saint-Tropez in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Tropez in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Tropez this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint-Tropez often gets more sunshine than Lille. Saint-Tropez gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Saint-Tropez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint-Tropez usually gets more rain in October than Lille. Saint-Tropez gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Lille and Saint-Tropez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Tropez for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. In January, Saint-Tropez is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Saint-Tropez average around 9°C (48°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Saint-Tropez usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Saint-Tropez gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

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

Both Lille and Saint-Tropez during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Tropez because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Saint-Tropez is much warmer than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Tropez. In the spring, Saint-Tropez often gets more sunshine than Lille. Saint-Tropez gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Saint-Tropez usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Saint-Tropez gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Saint-Tropez