Fancy a spot of shopping in France? London to Lille takes just 90 minutes by train, or if you’re coming from the Calais ferry port about an hour and 15 minutes by car.
It might not seem that far away but in terms of shopping – it’s a world away from the high street shops of the UK where it sometimes feel that every shopping town has the same shops.
If you’re looking for individuality, a fresh style, something different with a little French oh la la then Lille is the perfect city for a shopping trip. There are over 3900 shops in the city – more than even the most hardened shopper or fashion fan could possibly visit in a day or two!
Shopping in Lille
We love shopping in Old Lille with its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with pretty Flemish houses. There are all the great names in luxury goods, fashion and design – Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Galeries Lafayette, Printemps. There are also hundreds of outstanding little boutique shops selling clothes at such incredibly low prices for something different and unique that you’ll be falling off your heels in delight! Vintage, quirky, designer and trendy – this town is a style and fashion lover’s delight.
It’s not just clothes that you can get here either – there are plenty of antique shops and art galleries, a gorgeous second hand book market in the Vielle Bourse in the Grand Place that shouldn’t be missed, amazing kitchenalia shops (where else can you get Balsamic vinegar reduced to a sticky jus that enhances meals to Master Chef level?!).
Euralille is a futuristic looking shopping mall right next to the Eurostar station – nip in and browse a hundred shops, restaurants and a supermarket for those wine and cheese purchases if you just want to keep close to the station.
We recommend you wander a little further though – there is so much to see and do. Pop into the Lille Tourist office just off the Grand Place and a few minutes from the Eurostar station. They’ll be able to provide you with a great shopping guide book to help you find your way round.
The Lille Tourist office regularly offer a fabulous Shopping Party Package for less than £100 (starting at €115 [2013]) which you can book in advance: 1 (or more) night at the Best Western Premier Why Hotel, including breakfast and a complimentary drink on arrival (cocktail, champagne or fruit smoothie); personal shopper at Le Printemps department store, including a €50 shop card + €10 complimentary from Le Printemps) with a private showroom; 1 hand massage and 1 olfactory introduction at L’Occitane en Provence (including a welcome gift and a 10% discount on products in the shop). Information and booking with the Lille Tourism & Convention Bureau: Stéphanie Rosé, Tuesday to Saturday s.rose@lilletourism.com +33 (0)3 59 57 94 01
If you’re there on a Saturday you might way to try the morning market at the Place du Concert, or maybe visit the Wazemmes district of Lille with its trendy designer boutiques and bustling Sunday morning market.
With hundreds of restaurants, braseries, bars – even an oyster bar at L’Huiterie (3 Rue des Chats Bossus). For something a bit different there is a chef school (L’Atelier des Chefs) where you can cook your own lunch in a one hour session – you’ll be spoiled for choice for somewhere to rest your feet and your shopping bags!
Shopping in Roubaix
Jump on the Metro for a mere 20 minute ride to nearby Roubaix which the locals call “the capital of good deals”. There are two outlet shopping centres here – McArthur Glen and A l’Usine – more than 170 factory shops offering major brands at bargain prices. There’s also a Fashion District (avenue Jean-Lebas) which is dedicated to young designers where you can buy unique, original designs. By the La Piscine museum you’ll discover an area of artists workshops and fabulous clothes shops at Le Vestiaire (27 rue de l’Espérance) part of the Maisons de Mode project which proactively seeks to identify and guide the top designers of tomorrow in both Roubaix and Lille (rue du Faubourg des Postes).
Practical Information for shopping in Lille
Most of Lille’s shops are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 though some shops do close on Mondays. Shops are closed on Sundays (except for 3 Sundays before Christmas and the first Sunday of the winter and summer sales).
The Lille Tourist Office is open 7 days a week throughout the year Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm; Sunday and bank holidays: 10 am – 12 pm / 2 pm – 5 pm.
Addreess: Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Lille, Palais Rihour, Place Rihou, Lille; Email: contact@lilletourism.com
