2 days in Lille

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21st March 2016

Lille is the capital of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in northern France, near the border with Belgium. A cultural hub and bustling university town today, it was once an important merchant center of French Flanders. Many Flemish influences remain in the city’s culture, cuisine and architecture. The historic center, Vieux Lille, is characterized by 17th-century brick town houses and cobbled pedestrian streets.

We travelled to Lille on the Eurostar from London St Pancras on Friday evening to celebrate Ross’ birthday in this northern french town renown for its history and food. The journey was so easy, a short 1.25min trip right into the centre of town. A 15min walk to the Barriere Lille Hotel & Casino where we were booked was quite straight forward, although next time I would prefer to stay near the main square where it is a bit more lively. (The hotel was lovely but the area lacked ‘atmosphere’).

The medieval town centre, known just as Vieux Lille, is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets with ancient guild houses, Renaissance palaces and Gothic churches.

On our first day we walked around the old town, rue Esquermoise is one of the oldest streets in Lille and is home to Pâtisserie Meert which is an institution in Lille. Founded in 1761, it is best known for its vanilla-cream-filled waffle (apparently loved by Charles de Galle), served in a stunning 19th century tea room, replete with chandeliers and wrought-iron balconies.

: Pâtisserie Meert

: Pâtisserie Meert

: Pâtisserie Meert

: Pâtisserie Meert

: Macaron’s

: Grand Place

: Les Compagnons de la grappe

: In front of the Old Stock Exchange built from 1652 to 1653, is undoubtly the town’s finest building. This building is made up fo 24 little houses around an arched courtyard. A second-hand book market as well as chess players can be seen inside

: Grand Place – Dates back to 14th Century

We made a stop at Notre dame de la Treille. It isn’t everyday that you get to visit a modern cathedral built in the recent centuries. The interior is absolutely magnificent. The way in which the sun shines through the stained glass windows and lights up the interior is something to be in awe of.

Recommended Restaurants in Lille

Les Compagnons de la grappe was amazing! Exactly what I was hoping to experience in Lille. I have written a short blog post on this restaurant here: Foodie heaven in Lille

La Guinguette de la Marine was recommended to us and I had read some blogs about this is quaint ‘pub-like’ lunch spot who boast bar swings rather than bar stools. We made out way here for Lunch on Sunday but unfortunately we did not have a reservation and the very rude staff made it clear that it was ridiculous to show up without a booking.

Basilic Cafe was a place we ended up in by chance. Enticed by their lovely outdoor terrace garden the interior surprised us further – its an art gallery. Great gourmet burgers!

Address: 24bis rue Esquermoise Website: www.basilic-cafe.com

Bloempot is a restaurant I’ve seen featured on many blogs as a trendy foodie hotspot. Opened by French Top Chef finalist (a very popular French TV cooking show) Florent Ladeyn, it is apparently housed in a former carpentry workshop in picturesque rue des Bouchers, however we made out way to this location and could not locate it at all – I suspect it may have closed down.

Cover Image: jorisvo / Shutterstock.com