Issue No. 25

ART: Palais des Beaux Arts
The Palais des Beaux Arts lives up to its
name, it really is a grand palace and one of
the largest museums in France. It has the
second biggest collection of fine arts
outside of Paris with exhibits from
antiquity to contemporary, including all the
greats from Rubens, Goya and Monet to
Van Gogh, Picasso and Chagall. Head to
the basement to discover a unique
collection of ancient relief maps, fourteen
17th century exact replica miniature
models of towns such as Ypres in Belgium
(it was used as a blueprint for rebuilding
Ypres after WWII) and Lille. They were
once used by Louis XIV and his famous
martial engineer Vauban to plan military
tactics. There are regular, world class
temporary exhibitions, and innovative
touch screens (including gigapixel) help
visitors to explore the artworks.
EAT: Au Moulin d'Or
Au Moulin d'Or is very close by, in the centre
of Old Lille in a converted lingerie store
which is a listed monument, this restaurant
featured in Dany Boon’s “Bienvenue Chez les
Ch’tis”, France’s biggest grossing film of all
time. It’s been renovated to a fabulous
standard with glittering chandeliers and a
gorgeous central staircase and regularly
showcases local artists. Upstairs or
downstairs, there’s a great atmosphere and a
classic brasserie menu – delicious.
31-33 Place du Théâtre