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

Should you visit Toulouse or Lille?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Lille can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a friendly, historic, and under-rated city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Toulouse and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Lille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulouse than Lille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulouse is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Lille is known for its shopping and impressive beauty. Lille is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also home to Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toulouse is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Toulouse can be an interesting and educational experience. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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 Toulouse or Lille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Toulouse and Lille offer a number of first-rate restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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.

Is Toulouse or Lille Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Toulouse and Lille.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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.

Is Toulouse or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Both Toulouse and Lille have high quality historic old towns worth visiting.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Lille?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Toulouse or Lille Better for Families?

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

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Lille Better for Couples?

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

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Is Toulouse 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, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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.

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Lille?

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

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

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

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

In Toulouse, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this dynamic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

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.

A weekend in Toulouse or Lille?

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

Five days in Toulouse or Lille?

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Toulouse. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

A week in Toulouse or Lille?

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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Lille, we can see that Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Lille?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Toulouse during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lille because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulouse. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Lille. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Lille. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

Toulouse is a little warmer than Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Lille. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Lille. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lille. In the winter, Toulouse is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Lille. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Toulouse or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Lille. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Toulouse