Issue No. 25

ART: Musée de l’Hospice de la
Comtesse
The Museum of the Hospice de la Comtesse
is steeped in history. It was founded in 1236
by Jeanne, Countess of Flanders to care for
the poor and sick, there’s a wonderful
painting in the baroque chapel of Jeanne and
her sister Marguerite giving money to the
hospice’s nuns. The oldest part of the
building dates to the 1400’s and includes
magnificently furnished rooms depicting
Flemish life from the 15th to the 17th
centuries. My favourites were an enchanting
17th century kitchen with gorgeous blue and
white Delft-like tiles and a linen room with a
perfectly preserved 17th century press.
There’s a fascinating collection of paintings
and antiques and regular exhibitions
dedicated to the history of Lille. It’s a
charming museum with an authentic
atmosphere – a must-see.
EAT: Barbue d'Anvers
A short walk away, tucked away down an alley behind a pretty courtyard in a beautiful 16th
century Flemish building, lies a local legend. Here they serve regional specialities such as rich
and robust carbonnade flamande – a beef stew made with beer and brown sugar; the
unpronounceable potjevleesch, a dish of three cold meats (traditionally rabbit, chicken and veal)
in aspic; and waterzooi, a type of chicken soup. The dining room is charming and vintage, with
candles, books and knick-knacks galore. The locals adore this quirky restaurant with a warm
ambiance. 1 bis Rue St Etienne 59800 Lille; lebarbuedanvers.fr