A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
The small town of Armentières is situated on the Belgian border, just 15 minutes from Lille and 20 minutes from the Belgian city of Ypres. For those seeking a local retreat, there is a lake featuring an activity center and beach, alongside various open farms and charming rural museums to explore.
For an extended period, I passed through Lille by train without contemplating a visit. Numerous other destinations on theEurostarcaptured my interest, relegating Lille to a less noteworthy status compared to more popular cities such as Paris.
Living in London, I’ve made several trips to Paris over the years, and every time I go I fall back in love with its iconic sights, delectable cuisine, and world-class culture. However, like many other cities in Europe, Paris is feeling the strain of overtourism. Therefore, my latest jaunt to northern France led me to the beautiful yet underrated city of Lille.
Just an hour north of Paris by high-speed train, and with fast, direct rail links to London and Brussels, Lille offers an accessible, eco-friendly city break. This charming city, France’s fourth-largest, is filled with ornate French and Flemish architecture, unique cuisine featuring local beer, exquisite art museums, and cutting-edge cultural centers. As Lille isFrance’s firstWorld Design Capitalin 2020, there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your visit.
TheLille-Lesquin Airportis located about 5 miles from the center of Lille. An airport shuttle (from door A) gets you into the center of Lille in approximately 20 minutes.