The Deûle River courses through Lille, and there are several ways to run it. We’ve created two routes: one in central, historic part of Lille, and the other north of the D652 highway, where gravel paths run along the river for many km. For our central Lille route, there’s a nice river loop that can be started at the Citadelle. Some sections are paved and some sections are gravel. There are options in sections to run on either side of the river, with numerous small bridge crossings. Great views of the water and Vieux Lille. Bonus: nearly all the paths are well-lit!
Starting at the Écluse du Grand Carré, run south on the east side river path, for 1.2 km. Cross over at Passerelle Edmond ORY, and then back over, so you can run on the path paralleling Rue de Bois Blancs and the Quai de l’Ouest, doing a ~4.5 km loop around the Quai. To make this a fun loop, for the return section, run on the canal path on the east side of the Citadelle. Note there are many ways to vary this.
Longer Run: You can continue on a gravel path along the river north of the Citadelle for 2.5 km to the D48 road. That would add 5 km out and back. Note that there’s a gap of ~2 km between the D48 and where our northern river route picks up.
Add-Ons: Numerous options to vary or add on with paths along the river and canals in central Lille. Of course there are also the Citadelle paths!
The Deûle River courses through Lille, and there are several ways to run it. We’ve created two routes: one in central, historic part of Lille, and the other north of the D652 highway, where gravel paths run along the river for many km. For our central Lille route, there’s a nice river loop that can be started at the Citadelle. Some sections are paved and some sections are gravel. There are options in sections to run on either side of the river, with numerous small bridge crossings. Great views of the water and Vieux Lille. Bonus: nearly all the paths are well-lit!
Starting at the Écluse du Grand Carré, run south on the east side river path, for 1.2 km. Cross over at Passerelle Edmond ORY, and then back over, so you can run on the path paralleling Rue de Bois Blancs and the Quai de l’Ouest, doing a ~4.5 km loop around the Quai. To make this a fun loop, for the return section, run on the canal path on the east side of the Citadelle. Note there are many ways to vary this.
Longer Run: You can continue on a gravel path along the river north of the Citadelle for 2.5 km to the D48 road. That would add 5 km out and back. Note that there’s a gap of ~2 km between the D48 and where our northern river route picks up.
Add-Ons: Numerous options to vary or add on with paths along the river and canals in central Lille. Of course there are also the Citadelle paths!
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Essentials
Short Loop: 8.5 km (5.3 miles); Long Route: Adds 5 km
Flat
Citadelle - Écluse du Grand Carré. For longer option, you can start at the D48
A great way to explore the city's highlights on a run. Our mapped route covers many of the main sites of the city center and the historic old city. Spectacular buildings, impressive squares, Botanic Gardens, Parc Henri Matisse. Options for shorter and longer.
An iconic and memorable run. Enjoy a loop around the concentric circle paths of a fortified city wall built between 1667 and 1670. Now a park, the inner, middle, and outer loop paths make for a ~10k, with options for more. Mainly open terrain, with great views.
A pleasant run along the Deûle River headed north from Lille. A gravel path along the east side of the river goes for many, many km, as far as the Belgian border and beyond. We've mapped up to 10.2 km. Some nice water views, and an increasingly pastoral landscape.
A terrific route a few km east of Lille, combining the city's largest park, path to a 17th century Château, and the fields and running track at the Stadium Lille Métropole complex.
Roubaix is part of the greater Lille area and has some nice running routes. Best bets fir running are the linear Parc Barbieux, paths along the Quai that continue for many km east along the Canal de l‘Espierres, and long-distance paths along the Leie River.
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Essentials
Short Loop: 8.5 km (5.3 miles); Long Route: Adds 5 km
Flat
Citadelle - Écluse du Grand Carré. For longer option, you can start at the D48
Starting at the Écluse du Grand Carré, run south on the east side river path, for 1.2 km. Cross over at Passerelle Edmond ORY, and then back over, so you can run on the path paralleling Rue de Bois Blancs and the Quai de l’Ouest, doing a ~4.5 km loop around the Quai. To make this a fun loop, for the return section, run on the canal path on the east side of the Citadelle. Note there are many ways to vary this.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!