Lille

This post should have been published on Friday... But with the last couple of weeks being so packed full of events and activities, I feel like I've been working against the clock to try fulfill all my obligations.

Still, Mr.inspire and I managed to clear our Thursday out and hop on the train to France, to spend the day in the lovely city of Lille.

image: Larazoni

I was incredibly surprised and inspired by the place and people of Lille. Although it had that wonderful European feel shining through,  there was also a invigorating fusion of old and new, local and foreign and traditional and modern influences.

image: Little_Break

We especially enjoyed walking around Vieux-Lille, the old part of the city, Where you can find gorgeous patisseries, boutiques, galleries and magnificent architecture.

image: inspire*inspire

One of the great surprises we came across, while exploring that district, was the design gallery/shop, Sr77.

The lovely owner and curator, Stephane Rochaix, has managed to create a stylish yet welcoming space, where you can happily explore the best of design goodness.

image: via Sr77

With pieces by Spanish design maverick, Jaime Hayón; luxurious home decor by Hella Jongerius and Arik Levy; and colourful gift items such as Pantnone mugs and Wallepaper city guides- this gem of a shop is a 'must visit'!

 

We concluded our day trip with diner at the Berliner restaurant (recommended to us by Stephane, of Sr77).

The place has a real Berlin-chic to it, with vintage furniture and a wall full of graffiti and 'street art'.

The menu was pleasantly surprising, and the food was fantastic.

images: youropi.com

Not your  typical French experience, the Berliner offers fusion cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly (and English speaking) staff.

I highly recommend it!

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Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the giveaway winners.

Comments

[la marquise des anges]

what a great post ... i love LILLE so much ... and this the design gallery/shop sounds divine !!!
thnaks for sharing ... I definitely have to back visiting this region again ...

[topbird]

Wow - you did this all in one day? From London? Love it! xx

[Rose]

I just found you via Wee Birdy. What a lovely blog!
I really enjoyed Lille, although that Cathedral is quite strange isn't it! everything else was lovely though- and it is where I had possibly the best onion soup of my life.

[Naomi Friedman]

Well, I am definitely planing to visit Lille again next year. So we could make a plan to meet up there :)
xo

[Naomi Friedman]

It's only 1 hour+ 20min from London, so yes! we hopped on the first train at 9am and back on the last train at 9pm.

It's quite a small city and everything is a walking distance so you can do a lot in 12 hours.

(we also did some lovely shopping - they have a cutest little shops in Lille, had a fantastic lunch in the heart of the old city, walked along the canal and had drinks in an old farmhouse bar)

:)

[Naomi Friedman]

French food is the best, isn't it?!!!

I quite liked how different that cathedral was. a strange mixture of old architecture and modern design. Very funky :)

[warrior]

Love it, great post, isn't it brilliant when you read something that strikes such a chord with you. I have this disease/obsession, it's good to hear other do to.

[Jobs Search]

The roses are very pretty and colorful. Its nice to have them at home to make it a relaxing environment.

[SEO Los Angeles]

I have a flower farm and what I like about having it is the smell and color of the flowers there.

[Boracay Beach Resort]

I work as a flower arranger and in my line of work I encounter different types of flowers. They have this distinct smell and their colors are nice to look at.