CITY FOCUS ❘ LILLE
Clockwise from above: Waffles are among the local specialities; dining on the terrace in Grand’Place is a great way to while away an afternoon or evening, even in chillier seasons; the delectable Pâtisserie Méert is a must-visit for the sweet of tooth; enjoy a spot of shopping at the colourful Marché de Wazemmes
popular new addition is the Grand Scène, an indoor food court offering global street food with everything from tacos to falafel. But the trendiest place to be is anywhere with outdoor seating. This may not be the warmest part of France, but locals love to spend an evening en terrasse and weather permitting, you’ll fi nd plenty of places to sit back and relax with an aperitif.
Here the tipple of choice is often beer and northerners like it strong, with most brews ranging from a feisty six to nine per cent alcohol. The city has always been known for its traditional brasseurs (brewers), but these days microbreweries seem to be popping all over the place. Craft beer enthusiasts should check out La Capsule on the Rue des Trois- Mollettes to try one of their impressive 28 beers on tap. Before heading home, stop by L’Abbaye des Saveurs, a cave à bière and épicerie fi ne on Rue des Vieux Murs, where you’ll fi nd an extensive range of bottled artisan beers as well as other local delights, perfect as gifts for loved ones or for a treat to remind you of this wonderful city. FT
“LOCAL FAVOURITES INCLUDE A WELSH RAREBIT-STYLE OPEN HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH COOKED IN CHEDDAR AND BEER”
estaminets (taverns) in Vieux Lille. Local favourites include a ‘Welsh’, a Welsh rarebit-style open ham and cheese sandwich cooked in cheddar and beer, usually served with frites (to be dipped in the cheesy beer sauce!); carbonade Flamande (beef stew cooked in beer); and just about anything made with Maroilles, a pungent local cheese. Try to save room for dessert, as there are some tempting treats to sample. Being this close to Belgium, it’s not surprising that waffl es are on the menu. However the Lillois prefer a more delicate variety of gauffre that are more akin to Dutch stroopwafels than the thick, doughy Belgian versions found in other parts of France. For the very best, head to the elegant Pâtisserie Méert on Rue Esquermoise. This local institution dates back to 1761 and their gauffre recipe remains a well-guarded secret. Another absolute must is Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Founded by local pastry chef Frédéric Vaucamps, this legendary Lillois pâtisserie is known for its cloud-like meringues topped with cream. The fl agship shop on Rue de la Monnaie can get very busy, but there are now three other locations across the city to visit.
ON TREND
Although Lille may be known for its stereotypically Flemish cuisine, its foodie scene has grown increasingly cosmopolitan in recent years. One
48 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Aug/Sep 2022 Lille LILLE ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille takes 90 mins. By car, it’s just under an hour from the ferry port at Calais and slightly further from the Eurotunnel at Calais.
GETTING AROUND Central Lille is compact and easy to explore on foot, but you’ll need to take the Métro or hire a car if venturing out of town to the Piscine in Roubaix.
WHERE TO STAY Grand Hotel Bellevue Tel: (+33) 3 20 57 45 64
grandhotelbellevue.com Ideally situated in the heart of the city on the Place du Général de Gaulle with elegant and comfortable rooms. Doubles from €140.
WHERE TO EAT Estaminet Au Vieux de la
Vieille
Tel: (+33) 3 20 13 81 64
estaminet-au-vieux-
de-la-vieille-lille.fr
Tucked away in Vieux Lille, this
charming and cosy restaurant offers a good range Flemish specialities at reasonable prices.
WHERE TO VISIT Palais des Beaux Arts Tel: (+33) 3 20 06 78 00
pba.lille.fr Feast your eyes on the works of Van Dyck, Delacroix, Courbet, Van Gogh and Monet as well as Flemish grand master Reubens. Open Mondays from 2pm to 6pm and Wednesdays to Sundays 10am to 6pm. Tickets from €7.
TOURIST INFORMATION Tel: (+33) 3 26 77 45 00 Palais Rihour, Pl. Rihour, 59000 Lille
lilletourism.com
IMAGES © OTCL LILLE / MAXIME DUFOUR PHOTOGRAPHIES, PÂTISSERIE MÉERT / JEAN-PHILIPPE METSERS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
