A major city in northern France, Lille is famed for being an important cultural and commercial hub, as well as for its historical centre. Established in the Middle Ages, Lille sits a few kilometres east of the border with Belgium. Therefore, the city blends French and Flemish influences in its cuisine, architecture, and bike culture.
From historical structures to hearty dishes to the cheerful character of its inhabitants, Lille has a lot to offer to its visitors. If you’re around Lille in early September, do not miss the Grande Braderie. This huge flea market is the largest annual event held in the city and an absolute must-do. Find your student accommodation in Lille now with Casita. With hundreds of options, an easy-to-use website, and a 24-hour multilingual support team, your room is just a click away.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Lille?
Located in the northeast corner of France, Lille has a privileged geographical position. About an hour from Paris, London, and Brussels. The city is located at the intersection of major European capitals and just hours from Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, and Rome. Lille is a young and dynamic city; it is the second university city in France after Paris. More than 114,000 students are shared among the different university centres, grandes écoles, and higher learning institutes in Lille.
Known for its warm welcome, Lille was elected the “friendliest city in France”. As a famous saying goes: the people in the North have in their hearts the sun that they don’t get outside. The city also lives to the rhythm of cultural events, concerts, and shows, which makes Lille an unmissable cultural destination. After being designated the European Capital of Culture, Lille continues to pursue access to culture with events organized by Lille 3000: parades, great exhibitions, and concerts.
Universities in Lille
University of Lille
Casita has 6 accommodation options close to the university.
Relais Nature du Val de Marque is just a 16-minute car ride away.
Lille Catholic University
Casita’s 5 accommodation options are within walking distance of the university.
Massena bus stop is only a 9-minute walk away from campus.
Palais Rihour is just an 8-minute car ride away.
Institut supérieur de l'électronique et du numérique
Our accommodation options are all within walking distance of the university.
One bus stop, Massena, is close to campus. It is just a 7-minute walk away.
Palais des Beaux Arts is just a 5-minute car ride away.
Student Life
Is Lille good for students?
Lille is one of the largest French cities in terms of students, universities, institutes, schools, and Grandes Écoles (the elite higher-education centres of France). To support the city’s wealth of academic opportunities, the metropolis boasts 340 research laboratories and 4,000 scientists. As a credit to its universities, which account for more than 150,000 students, Lille is renowned for its friendliness and its youthful vitality, as well as its affordable living standard (which includes housing, food, and amenities).
Lille also has a great student atmosphere during the whole year. If you are interested in meeting new people, making plans every day, and enjoying learning about different cultures, Lille is the ideal destination for you.
How much does it cost to live in Lille?
Lille is actually a significantly cheaper destination than many other cities, such as Paris. According to the national student’s union in France, students in Lille have an average cost of living of just over €800, with an average rent of €467 per month. All in all, €800 might be a little bit tight if you want to really enjoy yourself, eat out sometimes, and make the most of the Lille nightlife, but it’s not a bad estimate.
What is life like in Lille?
Lille is among the top cities with a free business environment. According to the city rankings by Teleport, it is a good place to live with high ratings in housing, safety, and healthcare.
Must-Visit Places in Lille
In the bustling main square of Lille, you’ll find the Place du Général de Gaulle surrounded by stately Renaissance and Baroque Flemish buildings with Neoclassical facades. Also known as the Grand Place, the square is a favourite meeting place for Lillois. This centre of social activity is filled with cafés and brasseries.
In the middle of the square, the bronze Goddess monument commemorates Lille's resistance to the Austrian siege of September 1792. The statue holds a linstock used to light the fuses on cannons. On the base, an engraved inscription reads: "The courageous response of the Mayor of Lille, André, who refused to surrender the besieged city." The statue was sculpted in 1845 by Théophile Bra, who also created bas-reliefs on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
One of the essential things to do in Lille is to visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts, which is considered the second most important museum in France after the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Renowned for its size and quality, this prestigious art collection is housed in an impressive building with a spacious and bright atrium. The museum displays an exceptional collection of European paintings by the Old Masters, including Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya, Delacroix, and David. There are also wonderful examples of 19th- and 20th-century French paintings, as well as Impressionist art, an antiquities collection, and a sculpture gallery with pieces by Rodin and other artists.
If you love Gothic architecture, visit the Eglise Saint-Maurice; a beautiful Gothic church that was founded in the 14th century. The church has been renovated several times, as recently as the 19th century, yet has retained a sense of architectural unity. With its tower on the facade, the building is an example of an "Hallekerque" (barn-like church), a type of structure adapted to the fragile, marshy soil of Flanders. The Saint-Maurice Church is also distinguished by its harmonious interior featuring five aisles and 36 tall columns. The sanctuary is decorated with 17th- and 18th-century paintings by Lille artists.
Transportation in Lille
Lille’s public transport system is nice and cheap. It has buses, trams, and a metro system covering the entire city, and a good amount of the suburban area as well. A single ticket costs €1.60, but a pack of 10 tickets is €14. You can also get unlimited day passes or monthly subscriptions if you are a regular on motorised transport, which can be perfect for students. All buses, trams, and metro carriages run from 5.:30 AM to 12 AM all year except for May Day (May 1st).
Lille is also quite a pleasant city to cycle in. The city has a pretty good bike-sharing system called V’Lille; basically, you pay an annual subscription of €36 and get the first 30 minutes free on any bike you take out. Once your 30 minutes are nearly up, dock the bike and take out a new one for another 30 free minutes. The bikes are of decent quality, and there are lots of them, so it’s a smart way to get around.
Nearby Student Accommodation In France
Casita offers student accommodation in other French cities as well, besides having facilities for student accommodation in Lille, some of these cities are:
Paris, Marseille, Nantes, and Toulouse.