Lille

France

Things to do in Lille:

Lille Restaurants

Affordable (5)

Basilic Caf�

This chic caf� serves modern world cuisine in serious portions and is popular with young professionals during the week and students at weekends. The wide, sunny terrace is the perfect place to... read more
Fine dining (5)

La Laiterie

Just outside Lille in the small village of Lambersart, La Laiterie is a Michelin-starred restaurant headed by the new young chef Steeven Ramon. Don't miss the crumble of foie gras with hazelnuts or... read more

Lille Nightlife

Chilled (5)

La Capsule

This cosy bar in Vieux Lille has barely room for both clients and the huge range of beers served, most of which are brewed here�or just over the Belgian border.�Very popular with locals for that... read more
Clubbing (5)

The Caf� Oz

This buzzy bar has as its name suggests a good selection of antipodean beers, plus a selection of more local brews. Open until three in the morning with the latest sounds on tap, so be prepared to... read more

This Month in Lille:

By Nick Haslam

Shopping: Molinard is the northernmost shop of one of France's best-known perfumers. Pick up the perfect fragrant gift or even create your own perfume in an hour under expert guidance for only �40, though be sure to book in advance (2 Place du Lion d'Or, molinard.com, tel: 03 2039 5769).

Key areas: The Festival Wazemmes l'Accord�on for all types and sizes of squeeze boxes draws the best players from northern France. There are daily concerts in the Maison Folie Wazemmes, with musicians of all ages playing everything from traditional tunes to the very latest contemporary arrangements, with a a free grand ball as the joyous finale (70 Rue des Sarrazins, 15-27 May, flonflons.eu).

Lille Trivia

May: The first successful vaccine against TB was discovered at the Pasteur Institute in Lille in July 1921 by Albert Calmette and Camille Gu�rin and became known as the BCG ("Bacille de Calmette et Gu�rin").
April: Five hundred tonnes of mussels and 30 tonnes of chips are guzzled over the first weekend in September when Lille hosts La Braderie - the largest flea market in Europe.
March: The Immelmann turn was perfected in the skies above the city by World War I German Flying ace Max Immelmann, who brought down so many Allied planes that he was nicknamed "the Eagle of Lille".