Destination SWAPS

Change your favourite resorts for these great-value, lesser-known places

- HELENA CARTWRIGHT

Swap Paris for… LILLE

The train journey to Lille from London takes less than 90 minutes, making it the perfect weekend city break. Much of the fun of visiting Lille is life’s simpler pleasures – discovering great finds at flea markets, people watching and sampling local specialities such as moules-frites at bustling, friendly restaurants. It’s hard not to fall for a city where a cake shop is on the list of not-to-be-missed attractions. Méert is no ordinary cake shop. This elegant patisserie in Lille’s historic centre has been serving up edible works of art since 1761 and its window display alone is enough to attract a crowd. Not that Lille is short of other sights – it’s home to a plethora of art galleries, museums and architectural gems, as well as a shopping scene that covers everything from one-off boutiques to markets. There’s plenty here to easily fill a long weekend.

BOOK NOW A long weekend (three nights) in June, including train fare and a stay at Appart’city Lille Grand Palais Hotel, costs from £171pp with Eurostar (eurostar.com).