From a city born among marshy islands to Flemish merchants, legendary giants, Louis XIV and a rather cheeky cannonball, Lille has quite a few...
The blog
Our stories
Every story on Tour de Lille, newest first: Andy’s take as a British expat, Delphine’s as the local who never left. Pick a section below, or just scroll and see where Lille takes you.
The great industrial families of Lille: textile fortunes, family ties and a remarkable legacy
Textile fortunes, famous surnames, school aprons and summer holidays on the Opal Coast. This is a little history of Northern France — and quite a...
From La Redoute to Decathlon: how Lille became the birthplace of France’s biggest retail brands
What do La Redoute, Auchan, Decathlon, Kiabi, Pimkie and Promod have in common? They all have roots in and around Lille, Roubaix and Tourcoing. And...
Christmas in Lille: the market, the big wheel and the lights of Vieux-Lille
The Lille Christmas market 2026 returns to Place Rihour from 18 November to 30 December 2026, with around 90 wooden chalets selling gifts, crafts...
Is Lille Safe to Visit? What the BBC Protest Footage Doesn’t Show
Update – 18 October 2026: Is Lille safe? Yesterday, it certainly didn't feel that way. I wrote this article just a few days ago to reassure visitors...
London to Lille by Electric Car: My Real Journey in a Peugeot e-208
Driving from London to Lille in an electric car sounds like the sort of journey that requires spreadsheets, three charging apps and a mild obsession...
Winter Proofing Your Home with Effy’s directory covering the city of Lille
The freezing January temperatures in Northern France demand a highly efficient system. Expatriate residents seeking reliable heating engineers in...
What to Buy at Lille Braderie: From Vintage Finds to the Unexpected
What can you actually buy at the Braderie in Lille? It is a fair question. You hear about Europe's enormous flea market, millions of visitors and...
Lille market days: a local’s guide to shopping like a Lilloise
Lille doesn't do its shopping in supermarkets, not really. From the Sunday roar of Wazemmes to the quiet cobbles of Vieux-Lille and the yearly chaos...
The best boutique hotels in Lille: a local’s shortlist
Lille rewards travellers who choose carefully. This guide shortlists six standout boutique hotels with real prices and room counts, from Vieux...
Where to stay for the Lille Braderie : hotels, neighbourhoods and smart alternatives
The Braderie de Lille pulls in more than 2 million visitors over one weekend, and the best hotels for the Lille Braderie sell out months ahead....
Street food in Lille: how a lifelong Lilloise found her city again
Lille has quietly become one of northern France's finest cities for street food, and it did not happen overnight. From food courts built inside old...
Get Around Lille Like a Local
Thanks to our tips, you now know where to eat, drink, and how to survive the Lille Metro without getting (too) lost.
It took time (and a few beers) to gather all these secret spots... plus a few glasses of wine, because Delphine is French and a pint simply won't do.
Wanna say thanks? Buy Andy a beer: he's English, it's practically the law. Or buy Delphine a glass of wine. Same link, they'll sort it out between them.