Lille’s strategic location means it has weathered sieges, threats, and conflicts over its long history—and this small but mighty museum is a chronicle of the city’s dramatic past. Head under the entrance inscribed with Napoleon’s name, and venture inside to discover a rich collection of more than 1,500 objects—from historic uniforms and rifles to flags, medals, maps, and paintings. Don’t forget to look out for collection highlights such as two Gribeauval cannons gifted to the battalion by Napoleon himself.
You can’t take photographs inside the museum.
You can buy tickets on-site; members of the military and students receive discounted entry, and kids under 15 visit for free.
For an extra fee, you can explore the museum’s collection in-depth with a guide.
This museum isn’t just popular among history buffs: Thanks to its unique convent location, it’s also a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts.
The Museum of the Gunners of Lille is located at 44 Rue des Canonniers, within the former Urbanist convent. It is just 10 minutes on foot from Lille Europe and 15 minutes from Lille Flandres, the city’s two major train stations. The area is also served by numerous bus lines, and taxis are another easy way of getting around.
The Museum of the Gunners of Lille is only open on Saturdays, from morning until early evening. Because of its small scale, the museum can be explored in roughly an hour, making it easy to visit as part of a cultural day out in the city.
To continue your historical day out in Lille, don’t miss the Hospice Comtesse Museum (Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse). Housed in a grand former hospice built between the 15th and 18th centuries, the landmark now displays a wide-ranging collection of paintings, tapestries, porcelain, and other locally produced artworks and artifacts.
