District court, City courthouse
Palais de Justice
Lille's concrete courthouse in Vieux-Lille, inaugurated in 1970 on the site of an 1839 predecessor, still hears the city's cases while it awaits transfer to a new hexagonal palais de justice.
The story
Home to the tribunal judiciaire de Lille, this courthouse stands in the Vieux-Lille quarter on ground once occupied by the city's 1839 palais de justice. The current building, a concrete structure dating from the 1960s, was inaugurated in 1970. Its interiors are sober and functional, and bags are inspected at a security check by the entrance. The building's days in this role are numbered. The courts are due to move in 2026 to a new hexagonal palais de justice, planned with a large car park and green space. During the 2025 European Heritage Days, the doors opened for tours covering the building's past and future, with a chance to meet and hear from the president of the court. Inside, a canteen serves a varied menu.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Read your summons carefully before arriving, as it holds most of the information people otherwise queue at the desk to ask.
- ✦Bags are checked by security at the entrance, and small water bottles may be refused.
- ✦The canteen inside the courthouse serves good, varied food.