The Magic of Lille Christmas Market That Feels Like a French Winter Fairytale

France has an abundance of gorgeous Christmas markets, and Lille is one of them. It’s hard to resist the smell of gingerbread, the twinkling lights in the trees, the Ferris wheel towering above everything, and the giant Christmas tree that stands beside it.

They also have a fabulous merry-go-round from the turn of the century that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into a Victorian Christmas.

Lille is just a day trip away from the UK and Belgium, making it a popular place to go for a quick Christmas visit. But is it worth the trip? Why should you visit the Lille Christmas market?

Where is Lille?

Lille is the main city in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It’s under an hour from Dunkirk and just over an hour from Calais, making it an easy ferry day trip from the UK. It’s also right on the border of Belgium, with high-speed train links between the two countries.

What Can You Expect at the Lille Christmas Market?

The Lille Christmas market began in 1989, and although not as big as the Strasbourg Christmas Market, it’s incredibly pretty and worth visiting. The “Village de Noël” features over 90 wooden chalets, a treasure trove of gourmet gifts, artisanal delights, and gorgeous Christmas decorations.

Without a doubt, the star of the show is the Ferris wheel on Grand Place, the main square in Lille. With 36 gondolas reaching 50 meters, you get stunning views of Lille and its gorgeous architecture.

It almost outdoes the Eiffel Tower in the sparkle stakes, with 10K+ bulbs twinkling away. Next to it is the giant 18-metre Christmas tree.

The Ferris wheel is open until mid-January, operating on weekdays from noon to midnight, and on weekends and school holidays from 10 am to midnight.

Carousels are a big part of Christmas in France, and, of course, Lille has its own carousel on Place de Béthune, topped with a giant Christmas tree. On Place Richebé is Les Rennes de Noël, a merry-go-round for younger family members that replaces the Christmas train from previous years. It opens until the first week of January at 2 p.m.

Something not to miss in Place du Théâtre is L’Idéal Chenille, a merry-go-round made in Italy that the Hoffmann family, specialists in fairground rides, purchased in 1922. It was sold in 1990 to Mr Delannoy, a fairground professional who restored it and began loaning it to the Lille Christmas Market.

It’s absolutely beautiful and a perfect example of this type of fairground round from the turn of the 20th century.

Meet Le Petit Quinquin

Not only can the kids meet Santa Claus and his elves, but they might also meet Le Petit Quinquin. This fictional character inspired a famous lullaby written by Alexandre Desrousseaux, a French composer and poet. 

While visiting his mom in the Saint-Sauveur district, he heard a young mother, a lacemaker, trying to get her baby to sleep so she could finish her work and get paid. Hearing her struggle, inspiration struck, and he wrote L’Canchon Dormoir, which became known as Le Petit Quinquin. 

He first performed it in November 1853, at 14 Rue du Gand, at the inn “À la Ville d’Ostende,” run by the innkeeper L. Deledicque. For the occasion, the innkeeper’s young daughter had agreed to lend him her doll (or “catou” in local dialect), which is now preserved at the Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse. 

There is a statue on the rue Nationale of Alexandre Desrousseaux and the mother and baby. You can also go on the Le Petit Quinquin ride on Place Rihour in the Christmas Village at entrance two on the rue de la Vieille Comédie side.

It’s been there since 1986 and is owned by Alain Delaunoy, who also manages the Idéale Chenille merry-go-round on Place du Théâtre. 

The Food Stalls

The main Christmas market is on Place Rihour, where you’ll find the best Christmas food France has to offer. You’ll find a fabulous array of both sweet and savory treats that are an assault on the senses. 

Start with a warm mug of mulled wine, a staple at European Christmas markets, known for its spicy, comforting warmth. Pair it with some tartiflette, a luscious French dish made from potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons, and onions, perfect for the chilly weather.

As you stroll through the market, the scent of freshly baked waffles and pancakes fills the air. You can choose from a variety of toppings, including classic powdered sugar, rich Nutella, or fresh fruit. For something more savory, indulge in some oysters or savory toasts.

No visit to a French market would be complete without sampling foie gras, truffles, and spicy gingerbread.

For the 2025 program of events, visit the official Lille Christmas Market Website

Other Places To Go in Lille

You can’t leave Lille without a visit to Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, as it’s a chance, if not to shop, to do some window shopping. My French teacher, Sharon, told me during one of our lessons that in French, window shopping is faire du lèche-vitrines.

You’ll never guess what it means when literally translated; I’ll tell you because you won’t guess, it means to lick the windows. 

That one tickled me. There are some absolute crackers in the French language when you try to literally translate them.

Another favorite of mine is the old stock exchange building built by Julien Destrée between 1652 and 1653. It is full of second-hand book sellers, and I could easily spend a few hours wandering around. You’ll even see some of the locals coming in for a game of chess.

If you love chocolate, make sure you go to Maison Méert, one of the oldest chocolate shops in France. It was opened in 1761 by master chocolatier Sieur Delcourt at 27 rue Esquermoise, where it had been a confiserie one hundred years prior.

The truffles are melt-in-your-mouth good, and the waffles are still made the same way as they were back in 1849, complete with the shop stamp in the middle. The traditional filling, which I tried, is Madagascar vanilla, but there are plenty of other fillings you can try.

For oysters, you have to go to l’Huitrière in rue des Chat Bossus, which, translated, is the road of the hunchback cats, another hilarious translation. You’ve gotta love the French language.

Staying in Lille for the Christmas Market

The Grand Hotel Bellevue

Only a 5-minute walk from the train station, you’re in the heart of the action in Grand Place, where the Ferris Wheel sits. If you wrap up warm, the roof terrace offers amazing views across the city, featuring Flemish architecture, marble bathrooms, and antique furniture. Grand Hotel Bellevue whisks you away to another world. It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and Christmas.

How To Get to Lille

By Air

• From the UK: You can fly into Lille Airport (LIL) from several UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The airport is about 10 km from the city center, and you can reach Lille by taxi or bus in approximately 20 minutes.
• From Other European Cities: Lille Airport is well-connected with major European cities. Flights from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam are frequent, making it easy to reach Lille.

By Train

• Eurostar: The Eurostar high-speed train connects Lille with London, Paris, and Brussels. The direct Eurostar service from London’s St Pancras International to Lille Europe station takes about 1 hour and 22 minutes. From Paris Gare du Nord, the journey takes around 1 hour. Trains from Brussels to Lille take approximately 35 minutes.
• TGV: France’s high-speed TGV trains connect Lille with other French cities, including Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. The TGV station, Lille Europe, is centrally located, making it easy to access local transportation and city attractions.

By Road

• From the UK: You can drive to Lille via the Eurotunnel or ferry. Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then drive approximately 75 km to Lille via the A16 and A1 motorways. Alternatively, take a ferry from Dover to Calais and drive the same route.
• From Paris: Lille is about 220 km from Paris. The drive typically takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes via the A1 motorway.
• From Brussels: Lille is approximately 110 km from Brussels. The drive takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the E17 and A1 motorways.

FAQs About Visiting the Christmas Market in Lille

Why Visit Lille at Christmas

As much as I love the Alsace region at Christmas, especially Colmar, Lille has its own Christmas traditions and vibe. Whether it’s a visit to Santa or a trip on the Ferris Wheel, Lille has everything you need to enjoy a French Christmas experience.