Lille

On the outskirts of Lille, former industrial textile towns like Roubaix and Tourcoing alternate with smart suburbs, and if you have an afternoon to play with, Roubaix’s La Piscine (Musée de l'Art de l'Industrie André Diligent) is a must. The 1920s swimming pool was imaginatively converted into an inspiring museum, with sculptures lined up on either side of the baths beneath a stunning art deco stained glass sunburst. Textiles, drawings and ceramics are displayed in the old changing cubicles. While the building is a major attraction in its own right, there is also a mishmash of worthwhile art from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries, including Ingres's Angélique, Orientalist paintings, Camille Claudel's sculpture La Petite Châtelaine and Remy Cogghe's The Cockfight. The museum also has a Meert restaurant – perfect for an afternoon sugar fix (and conveniently nothing like the wait at the main boutique in Lille).

Northern cuisine is one of the most underrated in France. Mussels, cooking in beer, houblon (hops) and chicory reflect the dual Franco-Flemish heritage. Typical dishes include carbonnade de boeuf (beef stewed with beer), coq à la bière, waterzoi (fish or chicken cooked with cream and vegetables), rabbit with prunes and the unpronounceable potjevleesch (a layered meat and vegetable terrine), plus excellent fish and shellfish from the nearby ports of Boulognesur-Mer and Dunkerque. Pungent maroilles cheese – not as strong as its smell would have you believe – gets into all sorts of things, from savoury tarts to sauces.

If you only eat one thing, head to vintage pâtissier and chocolatier Meert for its famous gauffres fourrés, waffles stuffed with vanilla cream, although others also rave about the stripy tigrés and bitter chocolate tart. An elegant tearoom at the rear serves fullscale meals at lunchtime, and tea and cakes all afternoon. Estaminet Chez la Vieille is a thriving example of the estaminet revival: exposed bricks, tightly packed tables, a collection of old advertising plaques and prints, bar games and miscellaneous bric-a-brac. Hearty traditional regional specialities include leek tart and chicken with maroilles cheese, preferably accompanied by one of the wide choice of beers. 

Be warned though, there is very little by way of restaurants open on Sundays. Instead pick up a picnic from the oh-so-french Marché du Concert (Place du Concert) or the sprawling Marché de Wazemmes. It's actually one of the biggest in French, and sells food, flowers, fabrics and exotic products. 

You thought hostels involved lots of shrieking teenagers and a cramped, clammy bar? Think again. Hostel Gastama is more of a boutique hotel - with dorms. Set on a charming cobbled street in Vieux Lille, the hostel’s industrial design combined with its recycled furniture makes for an inviting and easy-going atmosphere. Dorms are clean and filled with light, with plenty of storage, including lockable rolling drawers under each bunk bed (starting at €26 for groups of three, four, six or eight). This also the perfect spot for couples, with double attic rooms starting at €90. The cherry on the cake? It has one of the best hostel bars outside of Paris. With a staggering selection of different beers from Northern France, Belgium, UK and USA, it draws in locals and guests alike for rowdy nights (although you wouldn't tell a thing if you were tucked up for an early night). Find out more here. 

Hop on the hour-long train from Gare du Nord and book as far in advance as possible to get the best prices. Make sure to check your return ticket carefully, trains leave from either Lille-Flandres or Lille-Europe, which are 400m apart. 

For a cheaper option, take the three-hour bus from Paris Bercy to Lille Europe.