School Christmas Markets Trip to Lille
2 days/1 night
From £115pp
Lille is the perfect place for your students to experience the authentic and magical atmosphere of a traditional Christmas market.
There are many enchanting Christmas markets taking place throughout France, each offering a unique variety of festive music, tasty treats and lights. The city of Lille hosts one of the most famous, with over 50 stalls selling traditional and regional crafts, cuisine and gifts.
2 days/1 night 
Tailor-make your trip| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Pick-up from school Channel crossing |
Arrive in Lille early afternoon Time for group to buy lunch and explore the Christmas markets |
Check in to accommodation Possibility for group to walk around the markets or go bowling |
| Day 2 | Guided tour of the historic heart of Lille, followed by time to explore the Christmas markets |
Visit to a waffle factory Depart and head back to Calais |
Channel crossing Arrive back at school |
This price includes:
- 1 night's half-board accommodation (breakfast and evening meal)
- Return executive coach travel
- Return Channel crossings
- Comprehensive travel and medical insurance
- VAT at current rates to Tour Operators
- Free staff place ratio 1:8
- Detailed information pack
- Itinerary planning service
- Motorway tolls and taxes
- VAMOOS - our easy to use travel app
Not the right trip for you?
Tailor-make your own tour using our enquiry tool:
Or contact our Christmas Markets specialist:
Call 0115 9404 303
Email xmasmarket@halsbury.com
La Gaufre du Pays Flamand
An old fashioned waffle-maker where each visitor leaves with a packet of brown sugar- or violet-waffles. Visit lasts 45 minutes and includes demonstration of waffle making and tasting. An ideal visit for those with a sweet tooth! Located just over 10 miles North West of Lille in the village of Houplines, an ideal stop-off on your visit to the Lille Christmas Markets.
Guided Tour of Lille
From Grand'Place to the Palais Rihour, discover the architectural heritage of Europe's Capital of Culture (2004) with guides from Lille Tourist Office. A few of the places you may visit are: Old Lille, Euralille, the Fine Arts Museum, Charles de Gaulle's Birthplace and Museum, the Citadel, Panoramic bus tours, the Juniper Route, Wednesdays at the Opera, Museum of Art and Industry in R...
Euralille
Lille may be Capital of Culture, but it's long been a capital of shopping! Indulge in some retail therapy at one of the largest shopping centres in Northern France.
Lille Christmas Market
Lille is the perfect place to experience the authentic and magical atmosphere of a traditional Christmas market. The city hosts one of the most famous markets with over 50 stalls selling traditional and regional crafts, cuisine and gifts... and don't miss the Big Wheel!
Charles de Gaulle's Birthplace and Museum
Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille on November 22nd 1890, in the house of his maternal grandparents at 9 rue Princesse. He was baptised on the same day in the nearby Saint-André church. Listed as an Historic Monument, the house was bought in 1967 by a group of friends of the General. Now a museum, it recreates the atmosphere of a typical late 19th century home of the Northern French indus...
The Resistance Museum
The Resistance Museum is located in an ancient fortified castle, built between 1878 and 1882, that was part of the fortification designed to protect Lille against a potential German attack. Paradoxically, the fortified castle of Bondue served the German troops during both the First and the Second World War. The purpose of this museum is to help visitors discover the journey of those who dared res...
Shopping in Lille
From its rich merchant past Lille has retained a real commercial tradition. Here, shopping is a reflection of the northern towns: lively and friendly. Each district has its own special features and the variety of shops is enough to satisfy every budget and every desire. With its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with lovely Flemish houses, Old Lille is the ideal place to find great names in ...
Ibis Budget Hotel Lille
The Ibis budget Hotel is situated in 'Vieux Lille' - the old town. It offers 93 rooms, all with en-suite facilities. Rooms consist of a double bed and a single bunk canopy. Students are accommodated two to a room and staff in singles. Each room has a TV.
A buffet breakfast is offered in the hotel with evening meals in a nearby restaurant.
Misterbed Belle Etoile, Lille
Misterbed Belle Etoile is centrally located in the pedestrian area of Lille, enabling your group to enjoy all the attractions the city has to offer.
Students will generally be accommodated in twin rooms – all are en suite and include a television. Staff will also be accommodated in twin rooms (if a single is requested, a supplement will apply).
A buffet-style breakfast will be served in the hotel. Evening meals are taken in the restaurant next door.
What our teachers had to say about this destination
I would like to thank the team for an excellent trip.
It was a great trip! Will do it again.
We would like to book the Lille trip again next year! Everyone had a great time. Many thanks.
Excellent day trip. Waffle factory very good.
Really good day out, Lille has lots of shops and the kids enjoyed it.
Lille was a great city to take Year 8 students on their first overnight trip abroad and away from parents. It was big enough that there was enough for us to do, and not too big that the students could get lost. Really enjoyed the Christmas market. Overall, a great trip and Halsbury was extremely helpful.
Our students really enjoyed the trip to the Lille Xmas markets. The market was a very safe environment for students to browse the stalls and practise their French bargaining skills.
Lille was lovely. The students enjoyed the Christmas market and walking around the old town.
Very smooth run - happy students and parents!
Lille as a destination is lovely and the students thoroughly enjoyed their time there. The overall amount of time for visiting Lille was perfect.
The coach company that you supplied for us was outstanding. The destination itself is excellent for secondary school students. Thank you so much for your help with this trip. We will definitely use you again for our trips in Europe.
Lille Christmas Market is wonderful and the surrounding streets are safe for pupils to roam as they are pedestrianized.
Staff accompanying us on the trip were friendly, helpful and very willing to be flexible. The staff engaged with us and helped us make the trip extremely rewarding for pupils.
The waffle bakery was fantastic! The baker explained in French and English and dealt with our students exceptionally well. Definitely worth a visit. Thanks again for all your help in organising the trip. I will definitely recommend Halsbury to other teachers.
Children loved the market and being able to buy gifts for their families. They also loved trying French food and experiencing the culture! For some students this was their first visit abroad and for many, it was their first trip to France!
The Group Leader pack was the the most comprehensive I have ever had. Excellent.The Halsbury team are very approachable, friendly and helpful. Halsbury will work closely with you to plan everything you require and fully understand the needs of individual groups. I am very impressed.
A great school trip. Lille is so pretty. We have now done this for the last 6 years. It puts you in the Christmas spirit. Students always love it.
“I would like to thank the team for an excellent trip.”