Palais des Beaux-Arts

The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is one of the largest art museums in France and one of the most important outside Paris. Built in the 19th century, it showcases an extensive collection of European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts spanning from antiquity to the 20th century.

The museum’s neoclassical façade and grand interior provide a fitting setting for the diverse artworks on display and its highlights include works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck and Goya.

What to see at the Palais des Beaux-Arts

Visitors to the Palais des Beaux-Arts can explore a wide range of artistic masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures and decorative arts from antiquity to the 20th century.

The two multicoloured ‘soap bubbles’ by Gaetano Pesce in the entry hall provide a contrast to the masterpieces elsewhere in the museum, which include an impressive collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 15th to the 17th centuries, featuring works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.

In addition to its Flemish and Dutch masterpieces, the museum boasts an extensive collection of French art, including works by Delacroix and Toulouse-Lautrec. Visitors can also admire sculptures by Rodin and Claudel, as well as decorative arts ranging from ceramics to furniture.

The museum is also noted for its collection of 17th-century relief models of cities in northeastern France and Belgium, which were originally used when planning military campaigns.

Temporary exhibitions at the Palais des Beaux-Arts

Aside from its permanent collection, the Palais des Beaux-Arts regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

Current and planned exhibitions include:

Raphael Experience
The Raphael Experience (18 October 2024–17 February 2025) exhibition unveils a collection of drawings by Raphael, showcasing his journey from apprenticeship to fame in Perugia, Florence and Rome. Alongside loans from the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the exhibit employs reconstructions and digital tools to offer an immersive exploration of Raphael’s creative process. Additionally, it juxtaposes Raphael’s art with works by other major artists like Rubens, Kehinde Wiley, Degas and Dalí.

Visiting the Palais des Beaux-Arts

The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille is on Place de la République, around a 10-minute walk south of the city centre and a 15-minute walk from Gare Lille Flandres. République Beaux-Arts metro station (on line 1) is only a three-minute walk from the museum and bus routes 18, B1, Citadine de Lille, L1 and L5 stop nearby.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays and admission is reasonably priced, particularly when compared to similar museums in Paris. Entry is free of charge with the Lille City Pass.

The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

Visitor facilities include a gift shop and a cafe in the atrium. Although it’s not right in the heart of the city, you don’t have to walk far to find other places nearby to eat and drink.

Allow 2–3 hours for your visit.

Place de la République, 59000 Lille
Metro République Beaux-Arts (line 1) Bus 18, B1, Citadine de Lille, L1, L5 (stop: République Beaux-Arts)
Admission €7, young people (aged 12–29) €4, children (under 12) free, free after 4.30pm, free with la C’ART and the Lille City Pass
Open Mon 2pm–6pm, Wed–Sun 10am–6pm