Lille Christmas Market
Lille's Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city at Place Rihour, is one of Northern France's largest, featuring over 90 rustic wooden chalets. Running from mid-November to late December, it offers festive food (mulled wine, gingerbread, speculoos), local crafts, and a 50-foot Ferris wheel
Itinerary Example
Lille Christmas Market Day Trip Itinerary
Journey to France
Depart pick up and travel by coach to Folkstone for 09:00 crossing with Le Shuttle to Calais before continuing by coach to Lille. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours from Calais, making Lille an ideal destination for a festive day excursion.
Approx. 12:00 arrive in Paris, your driver will drop you close to the city centre, giving you the day free to explore at your own pace.
Visit Lille Christmas Market
Located in the beautiful Place Rihour, the Christmas Market is filled with festive wooden chalets offering:
· Handmade Christmas decorations
· Artisan gifts and crafts
· French cheeses and regional delicacies
· Chocolates, nougat and sweet treats
· Mulled wine and hot chocolate
· Seasonal decorations and unique souvenirs
Explore Lille's Historic Centre
Take time to wander through the picturesque streets of Vieux Lille (Old Lille) with its colourful Flemish architecture, boutique shops and cosy cafés. Visit:
· Grand Place
· Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange)
· Lille Cathedral
· Elegant shopping streets decorated with festive lights
Christmas Shopping
Lille is renowned for its excellent shopping, offering everything from independent boutiques and French delicatessens to major department stores and Christmas gift shops.
Festive Food & Drink
Enjoy lunch or refreshments in one of Lille's traditional estaminets or cafés, where you can sample regional specialities including:
· Carbonnade Flamande (Flemish beef stew)
· Fresh waffles
· Crêpes
· French pastries
· Vin chaud (mulled wine)
Ferris Wheel
Don't miss the giant Ferris Wheel in the Grand Place, offering spectacular panoramic views across Lille's festive skyline.
Free Time
Spend the remainder of the afternoon browsing the Christmas Market, shopping for festive gifts or relaxing in one of Lille's many cafés before returning to the coach.
Return Journey
Depart Lille around 18:30 for Calais and travel back to Folkestone via the Eurotunnel departing Approx. 21:15 (20:15 GMT), arriving in Folkstone around 20:50 and continue home.Monday
Itinerary Example
Lille Christmas Market Day Trip Itinerary
Journey to France
Depart pick up and travel by coach to Folkstone for 09:00 crossing with Le Shuttle to Calais before continuing by coach to Lille. The journey takes approximately 1½ hours from Calais, making Lille an ideal destination for a festive day excursion.
Approx. 12:00 arrive in Paris, your driver will drop you close to the city centre, giving you the day free to explore at your own pace.
Visit Lille Christmas Market
Located in the beautiful Place Rihour, the Christmas Market is filled with festive wooden chalets offering:
· Handmade Christmas decorations
· Artisan gifts and crafts
· French cheeses and regional delicacies
· Chocolates, nougat and sweet treats
· Mulled wine and hot chocolate
· Seasonal decorations and unique souvenirs
Explore Lille's Historic Centre
Take time to wander through the picturesque streets of Vieux Lille (Old Lille) with its colourful Flemish architecture, boutique shops and cosy cafés. Visit:
· Grand Place
· Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange)
· Lille Cathedral
· Elegant shopping streets decorated with festive lights
Christmas Shopping
Lille is renowned for its excellent shopping, offering everything from independent boutiques and French delicatessens to major department stores and Christmas gift shops.
Festive Food & Drink
Enjoy lunch or refreshments in one of Lille's traditional estaminets or cafés, where you can sample regional specialities including:
· Carbonnade Flamande (Flemish beef stew)
· Fresh waffles
· Crêpes
· French pastries
· Vin chaud (mulled wine)
Ferris Wheel
Don't miss the giant Ferris Wheel in the Grand Place, offering spectacular panoramic views across Lille's festive skyline.
Free Time
Spend the remainder of the afternoon browsing the Christmas Market, shopping for festive gifts or relaxing in one of Lille's many cafés before returning to the coach.
Return Journey
Depart Lille around 18:30 for Calais and travel back to Folkestone via the Eurotunnel departing Approx. 21:15 (20:15 GMT), arriving in Folkstone around 20:50 and continue home.Monday