Places to be in Lille
The student neighbourhoods, the libraries to study in, where to go out in the evening, and how to live well on a budget.
Updated 2026-06-20
Knowing where to go makes a new city yours. Here are the student neighbourhoods of Lille, the best places to study for free, where people go out, and how to eat without breaking the budget.
Student neighbourhoods
Where students tend to live and hang out in Lille:
- Wazemmes - Cosmopolitan, lively district with a famous market, popular with students.
- Vieux-Lille - Historic centre, charming but pricier.
- Moulins - Student area near the university campuses.
Free places to study
Libraries and study spaces open to students in Lille:
- Médiathèque Jean Lévy (Lille-Centre) - Central municipal library with work rooms (74 study seats).
Going out in the evening
The areas students head to after dark:
- Rue Solferino / Rue Massena (rues de la soif) - About forty bars over 900 m, the main student going-out streets.
- Vieux-Lille - Cobbled old town with cafés, wine bars and upscale spots around the Grand'Place.
Eating well on a budget
CROUS university restaurants serve full meals at a subsidised student price (around 3.30 EUR, about 1 EUR for scholarship holders). Find every site and the menus on the official CROUS map.
Common questions
Where should an international student live in Lille?
Look first at CROUS residences (cheapest, apply early) and the student neighbourhoods listed above. Use Visale (a free state-backed guarantor) if a landlord asks for a guarantor and your family is abroad. See our guide on living in France for the full housing route.
Where can I study for free in Lille?
University libraries (BU) and the municipal libraries listed above are free and have long opening hours, especially in exam season. They are also a good place to meet other students.
Sources
- Événements - Agenda de la ville de Lille · 2026-06-20
- ESN Lilleofficial · 2026-06-20
- Braderie de Lille · 2026-06-20
- Fête de la Musiqueofficial · 2026-06-20
- Rue Solferino / Rue Massena (rues de la soif) · 2026-06-20
- Vieux-Lille · 2026-06-20
- Médiathèque Jean Lévy (Lille-Centre) · 2026-06-20
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