Roubaix _ les Ateliers Jouret _ green market © Les Ateliers Jouret - Delphine BarbryThe L’IIllu gallery in Lille is a case in point: a place to mingle with creative minds, feast your eyes on art, and go home with a work by a local artist. Whether it’s illustrations or objects you’re into, you’ll find both poetry and funky fun stuff, at very reasonable prices (€20 – €150) at the Galerie! All artworks come with a certificate of authenticity.
Northern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’Illu
Northern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’IlluNorthern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’IlluNorthern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’Illu
Northern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’Illu
Northern France _ Lille _ galerie l'Illu © L’Illu
Roubaix is the arty town par excellence. In the Grand Bassin next to the La Piscine Museum, you’ll find a plethora of art that’s both ethical and local! The artists on hand will be happy to talk you through it. Do you get a thrill from seeing the creative process unfold as the artist works?
Still in Roubaix, Ateliers Jouret opens its doors to the public once a month, inviting you into the studios of ceramicists, painters, designers and other creatives who work in this gorgeous old industrial space. Want a glimpse into the world of graffiti artists? Then RemyCo’s for you (once a month)!
Northern France _ Roubaix _ Ateliers RemyCo © Quentin Roques - Roubaix Tourisme
Northern France _ Paris-Roubaix _ Cycling race © OT Porte du Hainaut - Fabien BouklaDID YOU KNOW?
At the end point of the famous Paris-Roubaix cycling race, visit the historic Velodrome’s legendary showers and see the underside of the new “Stab” velodrome!
Olivier Duhamel Villeneuve D'ascqWhat I love about Lille is its unique character and way of life ‒ the mixture of the French and the Flemish influence ‒ and there really is no better way to while away an afternoon than sitting in Place du Théâtre with a local beer and good company. Beer and heritage go hand in hand here and in fact the region is the second biggest brewing hub in the whole of France. So as long as you consume in moderation, you’re definitely in the right spot to try a beer or two, or ‘une mousse’ as it’s known locally!
At the foot of the opera house and the belfry, Place du Théâtre is the best place to get a taste for it, with no one rushing around, just people spending quality time in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, cares left behind. Later on, you might see people sat on the opera house steps too ‒ and for good reason; it’s a great place to contemplate and enjoy the last light of the day, that key moment when street lights take over and the heart of the city continues to beat into the night. A magical and memorable moment to share, for sure.
