Lille

Lille is northern France's great surprise — a Flemish-influenced city of ornate Baroque architecture, world-class museums, exceptional food and a joie de vivre that belies its reputation as a grey industrial city. The capital of the Hauts-de-France region sits just 30 minutes by Eurostar from London and is an outstanding long weekend destination. The Grand'Place (Place du Général de Gaulle) and the Place Rihour, linked by the Rue de Béthune pedestrian street, form the social heart of the old town. The Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), a 17th-century Flemish Baroque masterpiece enclosing an arcaded courtyard, is used as a book and flower market. The Palais des Beaux-Arts is one of France's finest regional art museums, second only to the Louvre, with excellent Flemish masters, French 17th-century painting and an extraordinary collection of Goya sketches. The Wazemmes quarter is the most vibrant and multicultural neighbourhood, home to a spectacular Sunday morning market. Lille's cuisine is a distinct tradition: Flemish-influenced dishes like carbonnade flamande (beef braised in beer), potjevleesch (potted meats), Welsh rarebit evolved into the local "welsh," and moules-frites of exceptional quality. The Braderie de Lille — Europe's largest flea market, held in September — attracts 2 million visitors over one weekend. The Christmas market is excellent. An easy day trip from Brussels, Ghent and Paris.