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Lovers of trinkets, retro video games, vintage Levi’s denim jackets, and thrift hauls unite: this is your guide to THE flea market to end all flea markets: La Braderie de Lille. La Braderie de Lille is the biggest flea market in all of Europe, and by venturing here you can find and purchase all manner of things. Truly! So, whether you’re in the market for a full collection of porcelain dog figurines, or just want to browse with friends, make your way to Lille in the north of France this September for a unique cultural experience.
About La Braderie de Lille
As mentioned above, La Braderie de Lille is the biggest flea market in all of Europe, and actually one of the biggest in the world (though that title belongs to the Canton market in Texas) – so it’s definitely one of the top things to do in France. It has been around since the 12th century if you can believe it, and started as a ‘secondhand fair’ that took place in the Middle Ages where housekeepers and servants were able to sell their wealthy employees old, unused, belongings. Who knew that they were into sustainable shopping back then?!
It became an annual tradition in 1127, and today La Braderie de Lille hosts over 100km of market stalls, with around 10,000 unique vendors each year. What’s more, La Braderie de Lille has made a name for itself outside of France, expanding into Europe, and attracting shoppers both local and international, reaching over 3 million visitors each year. That is a hefty number for just a weekend!
When is it?
La Braderie de Lille is held every year in Lille over a weekend in September. The date isn’t fixed and can move around every year, so depending on when you’re planning on visiting you’ll want to do some research beforehand.
For 2024, La Braderie de Lille will take place between September 14th and 15th.
What can I buy?
Anything you can think of, and I mean that. From furniture to clothes, video games, children’s toys, antiques, random trinkets and home decorations, kitchen appliances, handmade artwork, vinyls, gadgets, etc. You name it and you’ll be able to find it at La Braderie de Lille.
The market isn’t organised by categories, however, so if you’re looking for something in particular you’ll probably have to do some digging. But, you’re spoiled for choice, so take your time and make a day out of it!
Will there be food and drink?
The great thing about La Braderie de Lille is that it’s right in the city centre, and there are restaurants all over the place, serving a wide range of cuisines. Bear in mind that there will be crowds, though, so you may have to queue a little bit.
But, if you want to have a traditional Braderie de Lille feast, then you MUST have moules frites. Moules frites, which translates to mussels and fries, is exactly that! You’ll be given a heaping plate of mussels steamed in aromatic white wine, with a healthy portion of salted fries on the side, served with mayonnaise to dip them in, as it’s done in Northern France.
‘Where do I get rid of my mussel shells?’ you may be asking, and the answer is, right on the street! That’s right, if you’re in Lille during La Braderie, chances are you’ll come across a few heaping piles of ink black mussel shells right in the streets. These build up over the day from people enjoying the traditional meal, and get cleaned up later at night. It’s definitely a sight to see, and you can always wash down your surprise with a crisp Belgian beer.
Where to stay?
If you’re planning on visiting La Braderie de Lille, you may want to book your accommodation early, as the city will be packed. There are plenty of hotels, BnBs, and hostels available in and around Lille, so the choice is really up to you!
Lille and its suburbs are very accessible and well connected thanks to buses, the overground tram, and a metro line. If you’re staying in Lille, make sure you admire the beautiful Flemish architecture but beware of crowds and noise – the party will continue into the night. If you want to experience La Braderie, but also want some peace, you should stay in one of the smaller towns outside, and take the tram in during the day.
Image source:Zhu Yunxiao / unsplash
How much money should I bring?
Seeing as La Braderie de Lille is a flea market, you’ll be able to get plenty of things for cheap. That being said, each stall prices their items differently, so it’s good to prepare for a range of costs. Enough money to splurge, enjoy some moules frites, and afford a place to stay is recommended.
What else to do in Lille?
If you’ve decided to stay in Lille for the weekend, then you should 100% spend a full day at La Braderie. But what about your other free day? There’s tons of things to do in this corner of France, especially if you’re looking for a culture filled getaway.
You can admire some art at the Palais des Beaux Arts, the Louvre Lens, La Villas Cavrois, or La Piscine de Roubaix which is an old community swimming pool, now turned into an art museum. Stuffing your face with as many patisseries and chocolates as possible is also recommended, especially if you splurge and get some waffles from Meért which are filled with Madagascan vanilla paste.
Dunkirk and Calais are also not far, Belgium is about a 15 minute drive away, and you can also hit the coast to spot England’s shoreline and the white cliffs of Dover.
If you’re interested in exploring some of France’s hidden gems beyond just Paris (though, we do love Paris), why not check out Contiki’s trips to France!
