Lille without cars, a dream (or a nightmare?) soon to be a reality!
The news is already causing a stir among Lille's car enthusiasts and delighting those who curse their lives every morning at the sight of the slightest red light at Place des Buisses. According to our exclusive (and very fictional) information, Arnaud Deslandes, freshly elected mayor of Lille just two weeks ago, is expected to make the announcement in the coming days: Lille will officially ban all individual cars starting January 1, 2026.
Goodbye to endless traffic jams!
No more long minutes (or hours?) desperately searching for a parking spot in Vieux-Lille on a Saturday afternoon, or those tediously long journeys down Rue Nationale during rush hour. Instead, the city plans to transform all the traffic lanes into spaces fully reserved for pedestrians and gentle modes of transportation. Sneakers, rollerblades, or scooters, get ready to become the king of Lille's cobblestones!
Alternative solutions…
Unexpected delights!
To make up for it, the town hall has already planned some surprising initiatives: horse-drawn carriages shuttling from Vieux-Lille to Wazemmes, free rollerblade stations in Place de la République, and even the possibility (you never know) of setting up pedal boats on the Deûle to avoid aquatic traffic jams. A wonderful chance to get to work without grumbling in your Twingo.
The ring road transformed into a giant park?
Even more exciting: Arnaud Deslandes is reportedly considering (according to our ultra-reliable fictional sources) turning the ring road into a vast green park with unlimited food trucks and relaxation areas. Just imagine being able to sunbathe peacefully where you once lost your cool in an endless traffic jam… A little slice of paradise right in the heart of highway hell, after all.
So, should we start selling the car?
Well, before you list your Clio on Leboncoin for a bargain price, we want to reassure you right away: this information completely crazy is obviously... an APRIL FOOL!
But admit it, a 100% pedestrian city in Lille is a dream come true, right? (Well, especially if you don't work in Villeneuve d’Ascq).