The must-sees of street art in Lille: an artistic stroll through the city

 Lille isn’t just a city of red bricks and waffles: it’s also an open-air museum for urban art lovers. Monumental graffiti, poetic collages, committed frescoes… Lille’s street art reflects its young, creative and accessible energy. Follow this route to discover the must-see spots, perfect for a stroll between friends, a Saturday afternoon or even between two teleworking meetings.

Wazemmes: XXL frescoes and popular culture

Concept : A lively, multicultural neighbourhood, Wazemmes is packed with committed, colourful and often collaborative murals. There are monumental frescoes as well as hidden nuggets.

Where: Rue des Sarrazins, rue Jules Guesde, rue Gambetta

Access: Metro Gambetta or Wazemmes (line 1)

Don’t miss:

• Frescoes by artist Jérôme Mesnager
• Collages by MELT or Zalez
• Spontaneous interventions around the market

Coliving tip: Start with brunch on rue Gambetta, then head off on a fresco hunt with your flatmates, smartphone in hand.

Moulins: a place for artistic experimentation

Concept: A former working-class district turned cultural laboratory, Moulins is home to alternative galleries and walls of free expression.

Where: Around rue d’Arras and boulevard Jean–Baptiste Lebas

Access: Metro Porte d’Arras

What to see :

• The walls of the Maison Folie de Moulins
• The installations behind the Médiathèque de Moulins
• The passageway of the old factory Le Non-Lieu

Follow @muralisme, to find out about upcoming performances !

Coliving tip: Organise a street art outing + exhibition + coffee break at L’Insoumise, the neighbourhood’s militant bookshop.

Fives and Hellemmes: wasteland and monumental frescoes

Concept: Less touristy, these changing neighbourhoods are home to many street art projects via festivals and collectives.

Where: Fives Cail wasteland, rue de Lannoy, boulevard de l’Usine

Access: Metro Fives or Marbrerie

Key spots :

• Frescoes from the Bien Urbain festival
• The Marbrerie metro tunnel
• The façades of Fives Cail, a converted industrial site

Coliving tip: Perfect for a group photo outing or creative session: create a street art sketchbook.

Old Lille: discreet but elegant street art

Concept: In the cobbled streets, street art makes its presence felt in small collages, stencils and hidden messages.

Where: Rue des Arts, rue de la Monnaie, Place du Lion d’Or

Access: Metro Rihour or Gare Lille Flandres

What to see :

• Mosaics by Invader
• Collages by Fred Le Chevalier
• Micro-interventions under the windows

Coliving tip: Turn the walk into a game: who can spot the most hidden pieces?

La Condition Publique – Roubaix (bonus outside Lille)

Concept: Just 15 minutes away by metro, this cultural centre is also a veritable street art centre. Entire walls are given over to local and international artists.

Where: 14 place Faidherbe, 59100 Roubaix

Access: Grand Place metro station (line 2)

What to see

• Graffiti roof-top open during exhibitions
• Evolving outdoor walls
• Urban culture exhibitions

Coliving tip: End your visit with an aperitif at the Condition Publique canteen.