Situated only 35 minutes from Brussels, one hour from Paris, and three hours from London - it seems like all roads and rail links lead to Lille. As the capital of the northern Hauts-de-France region, Lille is a hard-working industrial city, but it’s also known as “The Capital des Flanders” famous for its Flemish roots and culture. In fact, until 1667 Lille was completely Flemish and this heritage is clear in the city’s architecture and fabulous historical centre. Old Lille is a showcase of the city’s French and Flemish architecture. It has an abundance of baroque buildings, with delicately gabled roofs and elegant late-19th-century houses. The streets are paved with stone and lined with tall red-brick golden sandstone buildings, many of which have become upmarket shops like the HIGH store at 36, Rue Basse.

The area around the HIGH store is full boutiques, cafe’s and independent art galleries, each with it’s own special approach. The Centre for Sacred Art, is a unique collection of works centred entirely on the theme of Christ’s Passion Story. Also located in the heart of Old Lille is the Art to Be Gallery. Founded in 2012 the gallery has endeavoured to showcase all kinds of contemporary art from figurative works of the late 20th century to urban art, with a particular focus on “outsider” artists.

For culture on a bigger scale, Lille’s Palais des Beaux-Arts museum is home to France’s second largest art collection after the Louvre. The collection includes works from master artists like Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, Eugene Delacroix, Pablo Picasso, and Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens.

In 2004, Lille was elected European Capital of Culture and since then the city has promoted both its cultural heritage and identity through regular events, festivals and repurposed buildings. For enthusiasts of modern art Le Tripostal, a creative and cultural space, that was formerly a mail sorting facility, hosts temporary art and photo exhibits as well as performances and festivals.

Not far from the HIGH store is another extraordinary museum, Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse. Housed within a red-brick 15th and 17th-century poorhouse, it features ceramics, earthenware wall tiles, religious art, 17th and 18th-century paintings and furniture, and a detailed exhibit on the history of Lille.

In yet another conversion, The Gare Saint Sauveur was resurrected from a freight station into an art house which features temporary, contemporary art exhibits, concerts, an urban farm, and free film screenings for part of the year.

Alongside the highbrow culture, there are many of other attractions worth further investigation. La Grande Braderie it’s the biggest flea market in Europe, held every year during the first weekend of September. More than 10,000 exhibitors sell their wares at open-air market stalls placed throughout the city. Items for sale include books, old records, vintage porcelain, antique silverware, clothing, jewellery, artisan crafts, and artwork. This lively event feels more like a festival than a flea market.

Inside another architectural treasure, La Vieille Bourse, is yet another market. The grand 17th century building was constructed when the city was under Spanish rule, inside its inner courtyard is a book market selling books of all kinds as well as anything from old dictionaries to antique newspapers. As an easily accessible, multi-national, multi-cultural city with its fantastic fusion of classic and contemporary culture, serious shopping and light-hearted attitude, there is a lot to love about Lille!