Braderie de Lille

The annual Braderie held in Lille the first weekend of September is a city-wide flea market, the largest one of its kind in Europe. For two days, the entire city transforms into an open-air marketplace featuring events and celebrations, as roughly two million shoppers make their way into town.

Furet du Nord Bookshop

Spread over an entire 8 floors, the stunning Furet du Nord is a bookstore that lays substantial claim to being the best in all of northern France. Genres represented vary greatly, from classics to manga comics, and a pleasant selection of English-language literature, along with local souvenirs, is also on offer.

• Web:

  www.furet.com

• Address:

  15 Place Charles de Gaulle, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 78 43 43

• Opening hours:

  9:30-19:30 (Monday to Saturday)

• More info:

  Lille's bookshop: www.furet.com/cafe/librairie-de-lille

L'Abbaye des Saveurs

This compact old town store is truly a dream-come-true for all beer-lovers: the selection of artisan brews and beers from all over the region impresses and invites visitors to discover flavours they would never have elsewhere. Stocks a selection of other regional products.

• Web:

  abbaye-des-saveurs.business.site

• Address:

  13 Rue des Vieux Murs, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 28 07 70 06

Les Vins d'Aurelien

What makes this particular wine shop stand out from competition is the owner, Aurélien, who is a wine connoisseur and enthusiast that prides himself on being personally involved in tasting and independently selecting each wine represented at the boutique. Quality is, therefore, at the forefront. Wine tastings are held frequently; check the website for schedules.

• Web:

  www.lesvinsdaurelien.fr

• E-mail:

  caviste@lesvinsdaurelien.fr

• Address:

  5 Rue Jean Sans Peur, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 62 64 36 63

• More info:

  Information about tastings (ateliers): www.lesvinsdaurelien.fr/ateliers

Maisons de Mode

Maisons de Mode is a collection of small designer boutiques selling unique, one-of-a-kind creations, primarily clothing and accessories. There are two locations of the "maisons" in Lille, another one being in Roubaix (Jardin de Mode, 58-60 Rue du Faubourg des Postes).

• Web:

  www.maisonsdemode.com

• E-mail:

  contact@maisonsdemode.com

• Address:

  31-62 Rue du Faubourg des Poste, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 99 91 20

Philippe Olivier Fromagerie

The cheese boutique of a century-old family business is an absolute must: the family has long-dedicated itself to preserving rare varieties of cheeses and propelling the cheese-making tradition further. The boutique stocks cheeses sourced from small local producers.

• Web:

  www.philippeolivier.fr

• E-mail:

  info@philippeolivier.fr

• Address:

  3 Rue Cure St Etienne, Lille

• Phone:

  +33 3 20 74 96 99