lille

Hello, lille

Over a decade ago, Lille was awarded the European Capital of Culture title, marking not its pinnacle but rather the start of its journey. In the years since, it has established itself as a premier cultural destination, rivalling any other in northern France and, according to some, beyond. Once a thriving commercial hub in French Flanders, Lille still exudes a strong Flemish character, both in its cuisine and the ornate buildings of its charming Old Town.

Shopping

The Shopping to Visit

Cheese at market

Wazemmes Market

The working-class, eclectic neighbourhood of Wazemmes contains Lille's most praised food market, the Marché de Wazemmes. On Sundays, trade spills out onto the adjacent outdoor area, making for an animated commercial affair. Nearby streets contain shops that minister to residents of North African origin.

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Bookshop

Furet du Nord Bookshop

Spread over an entire 8 floors, the stunning Furet du Nord is a bookstore that lays substantial claim to being the best in all of northern France. Genres represented vary greatly, from classics to manga comics, and a pleasant selection of English-language literature, along with local souvenirs, is also on offer.

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Cheese

Philippe Olivier Fromagerie

The cheese boutique of a century-old family business is an absolute must: the family has long-dedicated itself to preserving rare varieties of cheeses and propelling the cheese-making tradition further. The boutique stocks cheeses sourced from small local producers.

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Woman at market

Sebastopol Market

The market in Lille's Place Sébastopol takes place twice a week, gathering farmers from the region, who come to showcase and sell the finest produce, charcuterie, cheeses, and other locally-grown products.

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Flea market

Braderie de Lille

The annual Braderie held in Lille the first weekend of September is a city-wide flea market, the largest one of its kind in Europe. For two days, the entire city transforms into an open-air marketplace featuring events and celebrations, as roughly two million shoppers make their way into town.

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Clothing shop

Maisons de Mode

Maisons de Mode is a collection of small designer boutiques selling unique, one-of-a-kind creations, primarily clothing and accessories. There are two locations of the "maisons" in Lille, another one being in Roubaix (Jardin de Mode, 58-60 Rue du Faubourg des Postes).

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