When to go · Lille

Lille in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days); Braderie weekend if you dislike crowds.

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C) / 2°C (35°F)35°F (2°C); average high / low
Rain days: 11
Crowds: Low; France overall
Prices: Low; France overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Lille

Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days); Braderie weekend if you dislike crowds.

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

LilleHighs around 6.6 °C (44 °F), lows around 1.7 °C (35 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 44 °F (6.6 °C), lows around 35 °F (1.7 °C), rain on about 11 days
Paris and the north, France · Paris, Lille, Champagne, Normandy inlandcool
Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.Grey, damp winters; late spring and September are the sweet spot. Paris heatwaves hit 95–104 °F (35–40 °C) in July–August and most flats and small hotels lack air conditioning.

France overall: Cold and grey north of Lyon; the winter sales (soldes) start in January; ski resorts busy at weekends.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Lille, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Jan: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 6.6 °C (44 °F)44 °F (6.6 °C)
May: 18.4 °C (65 °F)65 °F (18.4 °C)
Night low
Jan: 1.7 °C (35 °F)35 °F (1.7 °C)
May: 9.3 °C (49 °F)49 °F (9.3 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 11
May: 11
Crowds
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
May: 1

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days); Braderie weekend if you dislike crowds.

May: Inside Lille's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.

Lille: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.