Upcoming trip to Lille!

Three friends and I have booked ourselves a mini-break to Lille in early September for the Braderie ...  a huge antique and junk market. I can't wait!!!

http://www.shortcitybreak.co.uk/fleamarkets/lillebraderie.asp

That looks fantastic!

I am off to Lille this weekend. We got a great 2:1 deal out of the new Ebbsfleet station. I just booked a hotel tonight.

Any advice?

I am off to Lille this weekend. We got a great 2:1 deal out of the new Ebbsfleet station. I just booked a hotel tonight.

Any advice?

Oooh, lucky you!!

I've only been for the Braderie, which isn't like an ordinary trip to Lille at all. Most restaurants are closed and served moules frites out on the pavement instead. I loved that, but it means I can't really recommend any restaurants for you. I will say that you must go to the Meert Patisserie. It's gorgeous! We had breakfast (croissant and chocolat) there every morning, and bought lots of chocolates and treats there to bring back as gifts for friends. Oh, and make sure to use the loo - it's as beautiful as the rest of the shop!

We didn't have time to go to the Palais des Beaux Arts, but it's supposed to be spectacular.

Oooh, lucky you!!

I've only been for the Braderie, which isn't like an ordinary trip to Lille at all.

I just read about this event! Thanks for the advice. We will check it out.

Paula says hello.

We had a great weekend in Lille. Lille is very French with a flavour of Belgium... beer, chocolate, mussels. I was quite pleased.

Lille is just 70 minutes from the new Ebbsfleet Eurostar station. From the station, it was a short walk to our hotel near the Opéra. We wandered the back streets of the Vieux Lille and did a little shopping and had the required pain au chocolat and cafe au lait.

We stumbled across Au Vieux de la Vieille for lunch and I discovered the tipsy midday joy of gin in coffee. Dinner we ate at Les Charlottes en Ville: Bar/Restaurant de pommes de terre, which was as you can guess... a French fancy 'jacket potato' restaurant!! It was all yummy.

Sunday is the large Wazemmes Market. I definitely want to come back for the Braderie!!

I was surprised at how many shops were open on a Sunday including small cafes and bakeries.

You can certainly do a day trip to Lille or make a longer trip by exploring the wider area or the museums. It was very walkable.

I'm glad you had a good time! I'd go back to Lille in a heartbeat! 

I'd go back to Lille in a heartbeat! 

It's sooo close!! I wish Eurostar was more flexible with their tickets to allow last minute travel. It can get so expensive if you don't book in advance.