Car Hire in Lille

About Lille

Lille is the capital of the Hauts-de-France region, the prefecture of the Nord department, and the capital of the Métropole Européenne de Lille. It is located near the border with Belgium in northern France in French Flanders, which is where the nickname Lille-Capital of Flanders comes from. It is also the fourth largest city in France.

The river Deûle flows through the city with a very important port. The city is a major rail hub with many high-speed trains to and from London, Brussels, Paris, and many other regions throughout France. This fact gives Lille a very good position in terms of economic and industrial strength. It is a very rich and developed industrial centre of France with many factories in the suburbs of the city. But the city centre is still one of the most famous cultural and historical areas in France. Lille was besieged several times during its history and its city centre was destroyed several times. In the era of Louis XIV, it became a French city. And was completely rebuilt, as it often was. The last major destruction of Lille took place during World War II when the city was occupied by German troops.

For a long time, it was known that Paris was the cultural and artistic capital of France, while Lille was the financial capital of the country. But we must not forget that Lille has a lot to offer to history and art lovers as well. The city has a very rich cultural background and as the industry grew, so did Lille's reputation as a tourist destination. A big part of the growing reputation among tourists was due to the strong college, as Lille is known as a very good college city and also a city with a large research centre in the fields of medicine and pharmacy.

The city is divided into two parts. In the north is the old part of the city with narrower streets, walls that protected the city in the past, and many historic buildings, most of which are now restored and open to tourists. To the south is the new part of the city, known for its modern architecture and wider streets. The border between these two parts of the city is the Boulevard de la Liberté.

So, if you are planning to explore France, you cannot forget to visit Lille. This cultural and business capital of northern France has something special to offer you. You will enjoy the food, architecture, history and of course have a lot of fun in this interesting city that is a mix of medieval and modern. The people here are very different from those in Paris, Lyon, Marseille or other big cities. So you should come here and get to know the city and the people of Lille.

Basic info and car hire in Lille

• Location: Northern France
• Population: 233098
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:   Temperate oceanic climate
• Holidays in Lille:  For public holidays in Lille follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Lille are in good condition.
• Car hire in Lille:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Lille is of the Lille Airport, Lille Europe Railway Station, and Lille Flandres Railway Station.  Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Lille!

 Driving in Lille

Low emission zones (CPAs) have been in place in Lille since April 2017. When emissions are high, these zones are closed to vehicles and you need an environmental badge to enter Lille. If the limits are exceeded, entry will probably only be allowed for vehicles with valid Crit'Air E, 1, 2, and 3 environmental badges. Vehicles with a lower sticker will be denied entry.

Lille's low emission zone covers a total of 12 municipalities: Lille, Hellemmes, Lambersart, Lezennes, Lomme, La Madeleine, Marcq-en-Baroeul, Marquette-Lez-Lille, Mons-en-Baroeul, Ronchin, Saint-André-lez-Lille and Lille Sequedin. Prohibitions and restrictions do not apply to the main A1, A22, A25, N227 and D652 roads.

Driving in Lille can be more difficult at rush hour. In the Old Town, be aware that there are many one-way streets and pedestrianized areas that you will need to avoid. It is probably best to explore the old town on foot. You can park your car in one of the parking garages around the centre or in one of the many public parking lots on the side of the road. Remember, however, that there is a charge for these car parks. Therefore, read carefully the information on the signs at the car parks.

Driving in the new part of Lille is much easier because the streets are wider and there are not as many one-way streets as in the old part of the city.

So if you avoid rush hours, driving in Lille will be a pleasant experience for you. But all in all, it is always better to find a good parking space and explore smaller parts of the city on foot and use your car to explore the surrounding areas of the city. You can also use a car to move freely from one place to another. However, make sure that you use a navigation system so that you do not get lost in the city streets. You will also find the road signs marked but in French. 

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Lille

Palais des Beaux-Arts

In this huge museum, you can see works of art from 1400 to 1900. There are works by many famous painters from around the world such as Monet, Raphael, Gustave Courbet, Rubens, van Gogh, Donatello, Jacob Jordaens, and Picasso. There are also interesting relief maps and plans on display where you can discover 17th century France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This Belle Époque summer palace was built in the 19th century and is the second-largest museum in France, just after the Le Louvre in Paris. 

La Vieille Bourse

This very important and much-visited building was built in the 17th century and was originally a poke exchange. It consists of 24 Flemish Renaissance houses, all arranged around a central arcaded courtyard. During its existence, this building has always been a popular place for tourists and especially for locals, who use the building nowadays for many different purposes. They meet here and play chess in the garden. There is also a book and flower market in this building. In summer, many cultural events are also held here. 

Big square

A square in the center of the city is a place where people meet and gather. It offers a wonderful view of the buildings that surround the square and has a very special historical charm. In the middle of the square is the Colonne de la Déesse, which was built in the 19th century. 

Zoological Park (Parc Zoologique)

If you are an animal lover or just love nature walks, ZOO is the place for you. The special thing about ZOO in Lille is that admission is free, making it one of the most visited ZOOs in the country. It houses 450 animals from over 70 species and participates in international conservation programs for endangered species. And the environment here in ZOO is really special because you completely lose the feeling that you are in the city. A wonderful green environment will impress you and you and your family will get the feeling that you are in the middle of nature. 

Citadel of Lille

This citadel was built in the 17th century and is very special as it was built in just three years. The star-shaped citadel was built as a military base and is still used for this purpose today. Unfortunately, since it is a French military base, you cannot enter it, but you can admire this monumental building from the outside and it is really worth a visit.

The Cathedral of Lille

Also known as the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Treille, this cathedral was started in the 19th century but was not completed until 1990 due to lack of funding. Today, it is very popular among tourists and locals, mainly because of its beautiful decorations and artwork. It not only serves religious purposes but also hosts concerts, art exhibitions, etc.

Best restaurants in Lille:

Aromebase

PANCOOK

Le Potager des Demoiselles Cote Bistro

Quai 38

Patrimoine Kabyle

Aux Epherites