Colourful flowers, drapes of exotic material, antiques, bric-a-brac (and a little cheap tat) as well as a covered farmer’s markets can all be found at the vibrant Marché de Wazemmes, in this ethnically mixed quarter of Lille. When I visited on a sunny Sunday morning in May, while busy, it wasn’t overcrowded and the atmosphere was fun and friendly.

 

Inside the covered market you’ll find a fantastic array of fruit and veg, butchers, cheese producers, bakers and fishmongers. It’s a great place to pick up some tasty souvenirs and gifts or a pastry to munch on as you wander around. Try some cheese from La Finarde or some pâté from the organic butchers, Ferme du Beau Pays.

A firm favourite with me when I visit Flanders is the hearty cheese flan, Tarte au Maroilles, pictured above, made from the local cheese Maroilles, and below is another tasty cheese from the same region, Mimolette.

Back outside it felt so very good to be walking around in such glorious sunshine, especially when you think of the really cold spring we’ve had in this part of Europe.

Another unexpected treat was the dance display outside in the sunshine, promoting the Farro Festival held in May and June in Lille, Vamo Que Vamo.

 As the weather was so fine, while there was room earlier in the day, it came as no surprise to find that by the time we thought of sitting down for lunch, everywhere was full.

Luckily we found a lovely little restaurant, Chez Momo in Rue des Sarrazins, just around the corner from the market, where we could sit in the dappled shade of the trees, next to a couple of Boules courts and tuck into some seriously delicious couscous at a leisurely pace, just as any Sunday lunch should be.

Marché de Wazemmes, place de la Nouvelle Aventure, Quartier de Wazemmes

Open 7am to 2pm, Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays with an additional flea market around Saint-Pierre Saint Paul church on Sundays.

The covered market is open every morning, except Mondays, staying open in the afternoon on Fridays and Saturdays.

Nearest metro station: Gambetta

 

I travelled to Lille courtesy of Eurostar and Lille Tourism. Return tickets from London to Lille, which takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, start from just £69. As always, I am free to write (and eat!) whatever I wish and all opinions expressed here are my own, as are the pounds I put on during this scrumptious weekend.