Les Lilas Feminist Film Festival
In October, the town of Les Lilas hosts its feminist film festival with screenings and encounters. The programme is dedicated to films and debates about women and equality.
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Les Lilas
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ℹ️Practical info — Les Lilas
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Metro line 11 takes you directly to Mairie des Lilas, providing a quick and very convenient link to central Paris.
- Experience the animated cultural scene by checking the schedule at local art centers, which often host avant-garde performances.
- Despite being close to Paris, the town is best explored on foot to appreciate its village-like atmosphere and colorful street art.
- Save money on accommodation by staying here; you get lower rates than in central Paris but with the same transport convenience.
🍽 Food
🍽
Local Bistros
Enjoy classic French brasserie fare at the lively bistros around the town hall area, where locals gather for lunch.
🍽
North African Cuisine
The town is home to excellent North African eateries. Look for a busy couscous or tagine restaurant along the main avenue.
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Artisan Bakeries
Grab a fresh croissant or a traditional baguette from one of the many award-winning artisan boulangeries in the center.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Rue de Paris
The main commercial artery where you can find independent boutiques, cheese shops, and appealing book stores.
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Open-air Market
Check out the lively local market held a few times a week for a wide variety of fresh regional produce and street food.
🧘
Parc Lucie Aubrac
A relatively recent, eco-friendly park offering a peaceful green space to relax away from the busy streets.
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Fort de Romainville Environs
Take a quiet walk near this historic military fort to enjoy the wooded pathways and elevated views.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Les Lilas Music Festival
On June 21, the Fête de la Musique takes place in the green Parc Lucie Aubrac, with a stage hosting world music, blues, rock and rap. The free event draws several thousand spectators each year.
Fête des Lilas
Every summer, the town festival gathers residents on the Garde-Chasse esplanade for an afternoon and evening of music, dance and conviviality. It celebrates the festive identity of a town once shaped by guinguettes.
Located immediately on the eastern border of Paris in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, Les Lilas merges high-density urban living with a thriving creative community. The town's name, which literally translates to “The Lilacs,” refers to the blossoming gardens and popular taverns that covered this hillside during the Second French Empire. The municipality gained nationwide fame in 1958 through Serge Gainsbourg's iconic chanson “Le Poinçonneur des Lilas,” a song detailing the monotonous daily routine of a ticket puncher at the local Mairie des Lilas metro station. The streetscapes feature a distinct blend of red-brick industrial-era workshops alongside modern residential blocks. A significant historical site is the Fort de Romainville, an 1840s military fortification partially situated within the town limits; it served as an internment camp during World War II and now operates as a solemn memorial site. The local cultural scene thrives at the Espace d'Anglemont, a venue hosting contemporary art exhibitions and theater performances. The bustling weekly market along the Rue de Paris is a major draw for fresh produce and artisanal cheeses. With direct integration into the Parisian transit network via Metro Line 11, the neighborhood has become a highly sought-after enclave for artists and young professionals.
- Location: Île-de-France, France
- Top sights: Théâtre du Garde-Chasse · Lucie Aubrac Park · Church of Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire
- Nearby: Paris-Nord (4 km)
- Population: ~23.843
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 54 | 50 | 52 | 39 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 59 | 42 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: approximately 23,843 residents as of 2021.
- Official year of creation: 1867.
- Land area: 1.26 square kilometers (highly urbanized).
- Highest elevation: 131 meters above sea level.
- Postal code: 93260 in the Seine-Saint-Denis department.
- Connected to central Paris via the Metro Line 11 extension.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Les Lilas (7)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Les Lilas so well connected to Paris?
The town is located directly on the Paris border and is served by Metro Line 11 (Mairie des Lilas station).
Which cultural building is worth seeing?
The 'Le Garde-Chasse' theater is a beautiful 19th-century building and a local cultural hub.
What famous musical connection does the town have?
Serge Gainsbourg made the town's name world-famous with his song 'Le Poinçonneur des Lilas'.
Are there parks for relaxing?
The Lucie-Aubrac park in the town center features a green oasis in the middle of the urban environment.
Can you see Paris from here?
From certain high points near Romainville, you can get a broad view over the rooftops of the capital.
Les Lilas: where is it located?
Les Lilas is located in Île-de-France, France.
Les Lilas: what is there to see?
Highlights include Théâtre du Garde-Chasse, Lucie Aubrac Park, Church of Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire.
Les Lilas: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Les Lilas: why is it worth visiting?
Located immediately on the eastern border of Paris in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, Les Lilas merges high-density urban living with a thriving creative community.
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