Eurostar offers an 82-minute journey from London to one of France's coolest cities

dailystar.co.uk:

tickets for as little as £39 to destinations around France, the Netherlands and Belgium.And, some of the lesser explored stops are less than two hours away from London – making them perfect for a weekend away or even a day trip.At under 90minutes from St Pancras Station on the Eurostar, Lille is a stunning city littered with Gothic churches, Flemish architecture and large museums.It takes just 82 minutes to journey there and there’s plenty to do within walking distance of the station.As the Eurostar website states: “Lille is the perfect place to visit for a day trip or a short break.“You can spend the morning shopping in the old town, drop into Meert for coffee and waffles, have a hearty plate of moules frites (mussels and chips) for lunch, then pop into the massive Carrefour hypermarket, next to the station, to stock up on fabulous French produce, and still be home in time for dinner and your favourite soap.”We’ve put together a collection of things to do, dishes to eat and places to shop in Lille for a top notch budget break.Check out our recommendations below…We've done the leg work for you and searched out some of the best holiday deals for 2022 - check out our top picks below.

This article contains affiliate links, we may receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.Learn moreThe Vieux-Lille is a neighbourhood in the city that features an ornate 17th Century stock exchange, a striking 19th Century cathedral and the Porte de Gand monument.Wandering around this area, and the main square, will have you craning your neck at the impressive architecture and history.Red brick buildings make this neighbourhood look more Belgian than French and it’s worth taking a stroll before stopping in any of the cocktail bars,.