The 10 most beautiful parks and gardens in the metropolis of Lille

Need clean air and calm? No worries, Lille and its surroundings offer several green spaces to enjoy nature:

The Citadel park – Lille

Nestled within the city’s historic fortifications, this vast landscaped park seduces with its natural beauty and serene atmosphere. Its vast expanses of lawns, shady trails and tranquil water bodies make it an ideal place for strolling, picnicking or simply relaxing in the open air. In addition to its natural wealth, the park also houses various attractions, including a large children’s playground, an urban zoo, sports fields and even an educational farm.

The Garden of Giants – La Madeleine

Eric Bajart, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Garden of Giants takes its name from the monumental sculptures that populate its alleys. These wooden works of art, representing imaginary heroes, historical figures or even animals, amaze young and old and add a playful dimension to the walk. In addition to its peaceful atmosphere, the garden regularly hosts cultural events, outdoor exhibitions. Whether for a quiet walk in the middle of nature, a reading session at the edge of a pond or an artistic exploration to discover the giants, The Jardin des Géants in Lille offers a peaceful break away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Garden of Plants – Lille

Velvet, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Both botanical garden and pleasure garden, the Jardin des plantes extends over 10 hectares and houses an impressive collection of plants and flowers, ranging from local species to exotic varieties. Between its games, its magnificent rose garden, its large stretches of lawns where to settle, its botanical squares dedicated to biodiversity, or its path of remarkable trees to discover, the Jardin des plantes offers a variety of activities that will satisfy all visitors!

Be careful, however, the equatorial greenhouse is unfortunately closed in anticipation of a renovation to make it more sustainable, and the pools remelt a beauty, but the end of the works is planned for soon (summer 2024).

The Green-Wood Castle Park – Marcq-en-Barœul

Picture via https://lilleculture.fr/le-parc-du-chateau-du-vert-bois-un-tresor-cache/

Access fee: 1.70€ for students

The Parc du Châteaut Green-Wood, surrounds a magnificent historic castle of the 18th century. This French-style park offers impeccably maintained alleys, colourful flower beds and elegant sculptures. You can access it through a charming village of crafts, where you can appreciate the work of twenty artisans, from pottery to jewelry and calligraphy. Ideally visit between April and October to be able to admire the blooms.

Park of the Castle of Robersart – Wambrechies

Etienne5962, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This park surrounds a 16th century castle and offers an idyllic setting to relax and enjoy nature. This park has extensive lawns for picnicking and relaxing, water bodies for fishing and beautiful old trees. You can stroll, admire the ducks on the ponds and enjoy the many cultural events organized in this enchanting setting. During your visit, you can also discover the Garden of the Countess, a round garden cut into quarters, each representing a season. You can guess which part is which season!

Parc Barbieux – Roubaix

Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, via Flickr

This vast public garden of 34 hectares has received the label Jardin remarquable, and for good reason: it is considered one of the most beautiful urban parks in France. Designed in the late 19th century, this English-style park is famous for its picturesque landscapes, lakes and waterfalls, and great biodiversity, with about 60 different species of trees. In addition to walks, it offers petanque courts, a carousel, a minigolf, pedal boats or boats. In summer, the park hosts various animations and cultural events, making it a dynamic and friendly place to live.

Parc du Héron – Villeneuve-d’Ascq

Pierre André Leclercq, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This park is a vast nature reserve of more than 100 hectares, ideal for lovers of nature and the outdoors. It is home to a great diversity of fauna and flora, as well as the Heron lake, which offers fishing and boating opportunities. The eastern part of the park, classified as a nature reserve, is a true refuge for plants, insects and some 200 species of birds that inhabit the park. The walking and cycling trails allow you to discover the varied landscapes of the park, from meadows to wetlands, through woods and ponds, for a total immersion in nature.

Mallet-Stevens Gardens – Cross

Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These gardens located near the Villa Cavrois, a masterpiece of the modernist architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. These gardens are a perfect example of the integration of landscape into modernist architecture.
Avec leurs pelouses impeccables, leurs bassins réfléchissants et leurs parterres géométriques, ils offrent une promenade esthétique qui met en valeur la beauté épurée de la villa.

An ideal place for lovers of architecture and design. In addition to offering a unique visual experience, including its original wooden structures, the park also houses a mini orchard, a flowery meadow or an amphitheatre of greenery that hosts various shows.

Mosaïc, the garden of cultures – Houplin-Ancoisne

ENLM, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Access price: 4€

Located in the heart of the Deûle park, this garden is unique. Labellisé «Jardin remarquable» by the Ministry of Culture and holder of the Quality Tourism brand, It celebrates cultural diversity through thematic gardens representing different communities. Each garden is designed to reflect the traditions, plants and aesthetics of various cultures from around the world. More than 350 species The Botanical Garden is a place where contemporary works and animals are brought together to best illustrate cultures around the world.

The Jean-Batiste Lebas park – Lille

Philippe BRIZARD, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Small green oasis in the heart of the city and former industrial wasteland redeveloped, it offers spacious lawns, playgrounds, and even boules. Within these iconic red gates are hosted from time to time cultural and artistic events, for the greatest pleasure of everyone. Ideally located, and surrounded by party places like the Gare Saint-Sauveur, it is the perfect park for sunny days.