Rooftops in Lille: the capital of Flanders seen from above
A city of brick, belfries and squares
Prefecture of the Nord department and capital of the Hauts-de-France region, Lille is France's tenth most populous city and the heart of a metropolitan area of nearly 1.2 million inhabitants, looking towards nearby Belgium. Its Flemish history can be read in its façades of brick and carved stone, its large paved squares and its belfries, which still punctuate the roofline.
In the centre, the Grand-Place, officially place du Général-de-Gaulle, remains the meeting point for the people of Lille and the heart of the famous Braderie. It is lined by the Vieille Bourse, built in the 17th century, and adjoins place du Théâtre, where the Opéra and the Chamber of Commerce belfry stand face to face. A little further on, the town hall belfry has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, along with the other belfries of Belgium and France.
From Vieux-Lille to the towers of Euralille
Seen from above, Lille shows two faces side by side. On one side, the steep roofs and cobbled lanes of Vieux-Lille, its churches and Vauban's citadel, which the engineer himself nicknamed the “queen of citadels”. On the other, Euralille, a business district that emerged in the 1990s around Lille-Europe station, with its glass buildings and the Tour de Lille, which locals call the “ski boot”. Between the two, parc Matisse offers a green breathing space at the foot of the towers.
Where to get a view from above in Lille
Euralille: rooftops in the business district
The highest terraces are found around the railway stations. At the top of the SWAM building, NŪ crowns Euralille with a glass structure housing a restaurant, a cocktail bar and terraces facing parc Matisse and the city centre. A few streets away, Mesa has set up on the 9th floor of the ShAke building, some forty metres above the ground: its terrace, planted with palm trees and an olive tree, looks out on the sun setting behind the towers, and it stays open in winter thanks to blankets and heaters.
The historic centre: the Grand-Place at your feet
In the old town, rooftop terraces are rarer, and all the more sought after. On the roof of the Grand Hôtel Bellevue, the only hotel built on the Grand-Place, a rooftop terrace open to the public faces the Vieille Bourse and the Chamber of Commerce belfry, with opening hours that change with the seasons.
Food and cocktails up high
From bistronomy-style tables to sharing boards
Lille's rooftops reflect the city's love of good food. You will find bistronomy-style cooking that pairs produce from Hauts-de-France with influences from further afield, as well as tapas and sharing plates inspired by every corner of the world. As for drinks, signature cocktails take centre stage, to be savoured with a view over the city's roofs.
DJs, live music and themed nights
Lille's nightlife also unfolds up high. Several rooftops host DJs and live performers every week, and organise themed nights that punctuate the year, from Halloween to summer. Some keep the party going until 2am at weekends.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple or with friends
For a date, the view over the Grand-Place from the roof of the Bellevue or a dinner facing the sunset at Mesa sets the scene. For a night out with friends, the festive atmosphere at NŪ lends itself to drinks that go on and on.
With colleagues
In the heart of the business district, Euralille's rooftops are also places for companies to work and celebrate: set lunch menus, seminar rooms, private lounges available for hire and terraces that can be partly reserved for after-work drinks.
Getting around easily
Lille is easy to explore on foot and by metro. The Euralille rooftops are a few minutes from Lille-Flandres and Lille-Europe stations, served by lines 1 and 2, while Rihour station leads to the Grand-Place and Vieux-Lille. So you can hop from one terrace to the next without taking the car.
Tips for making the most of Lille's rooftops
Choosing your season and time
The northern climate encourages you to make the most of the fine weather, from spring to the end of summer, but some rooftops stay open all year round thanks to their glazed rooms or heated terraces. Opening hours often change with the seasons, sometimes from one week to the next, so it is best to check them before you go. For sunset, it is advisable to arrive early in the evening and to book when possible, as the terraces fill up quickly as soon as the sun comes back.
Photo : Chabe01 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
