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Things to do in Lille

Dive in to art at the La Piscine Musée d’Art et d’Industrie

Away from the Flemish flourishes of Lille's centre is a stand out art deco gem. La Piscine Musée d'Art et d'Industrie (tel: +33 3 2069 2360; www.roubaix-lapiscine.com) is a former swimming pool re-purposed as delightful gallery. The poolside sculpture room is one of France's most serene exhibition spaces.

Find French fancies behind a fantastic Flemish facade

Unaltered for 250 years, visitors with a sweet tooth should seek out Méert (tel: +33 320 570 744; www.meert.fr) for first-class French patisserie. The shop's flamboyant façade, all golden cherubs and beautifully crafted cabinets, is as unmissable as its creative confectionery, which ranges from cakes to chocolates.

Rock the boat with a gig on a barge

Embark on an intimate evening's entertainment aboard La Peniche (tel: +33 33 2057 1440; www.lapeniche-lille.com). The converted barge boasts a sharp-eared booker when it comes to international musicians and local comedy talent, and is like no other venue in the city - especially in the summer months.

Rummage for a bargain at Europe’s biggest flea market

Held on the first weekend of September, Braderie de Lille (www.braderie-de-lille.fr) is Europe's largest flea market. Attracting bargain seekers from the world over, Lille's centre bustles with bric-a-brac and antiques. If you can keep your money in your pocket, there are some steals come Sunday afternoon.

Size up one of France's largest art galleries

The likes of Rubens, Raphaël and Goya hang on the walls of Palais des Beaux Arts (tel: +33 3 2006 7800; www.pba-lille.fr) making it a real destination gallery. France's largest outside of Paris, the depth of its collection makes it one of the country's finest museums.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

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Hôtel Brueghel

Overlooking the gothic St Maurice Church, this delightful, old fashioned hotel is a gem. Check out the wood-panelled lobby and the tiny lift that whisks guests up to the 66 simple and small rooms, all featuring rustic Flemish furnishings.

Hôtel de la Treille

Perfectly located between rue de la Monnaie, Lille's prime shopping street, and rue de Gand, packed with bars and restaurants, this 40-room hotel offers very good value for money.

Hôtel des Tours

A business class hotel located in the heart of Old Lille in a very calm, peaceful and historic setting. There are 64 small rooms decorated in a contemporary style and equipped with direct-dial phone and minibar. There is also a large car park and a business centre.

L'Hermitage Gantois

This chic boutique hotel is housed in a beautifully renovated 15th-century hospice and successfully blends medieval features (such as the delightful courtyards and the chapel) with minimalist contemporary design. There are 67 well-equipped rooms and suites (some featuring period furniture), several meeting rooms and salons, a plush (but affordable) restaurant and a bar.

Crowne Plaza

Overlooking the Lille Europe station this hotel has 120 bright rooms many with panoramic views of the city. The Crowne Plaza also boasts a restaurant and bar and five meeting rooms accommodating up to 100 people.