Take home a taste of Lille
Best chocolate and sweets: Meert has been delighting customers since 1761. Pop in to buy cakes, chocolate and the famous, sweet, flat waffles of the north - loved by the locals, royalty, General De Gaulle and Buffalo Bill! There's also a charming tea room where the hot chocolate wows.
27 Rue Esquermoise
Best cheese: Philippe Olivier is a legendary affineur (someone who matures cheese to perfection) in France; this is THE place to go for the best fromage ever.
3 Rue du Cure Saint-Etienne
Best boulangerie: Baker Alex Crouquet admits he is “fou de pain” - crazy about bread. His yeast mix is so important to him, he not only talks to it, he takes it on holiday with him! The bread is amazing – take a loaf home and savour the memory of your trip.
66, rue Esquermoise
Practical Info
How to get there: Travel from central London to Lille by Eurostar in around
1 hour 28 minutes. Details: Oui.SNCF
Trains from Paris take 50 minutes.
Website for Tourist Office: Lille Tourism
Vieux Boulogne cheese at Philippe Olivier, officially the smelliest cheese in the world!