Lille Flea Market 2014 – the biggest in Europe

The Lille Flea market, known to the locals as the Lille Braderie, will take place over the weekend of 6^th and 7^th September 2014

This awesome flea market is the biggest in Europe and attracts up to two million buyers bent on seeking a bargain amongst the 10,000 stall holders. Over 100km of road space is given over to the stall holders for a 33 hour long marathon flea market session like no other you’ve ever been to.

Starting at 14.00 on Saturday 6^th September in this lively and vibrant city, the flea market will close the next day at 11.00 p.m. and for the stall holders there’s no break overnight. This flea market goes right through the night so bring a torch and prepare to party on through while you’re bagging a bargain.

You’ll find an amazing array of antiques from professional antique dealers from France and Europe as well as amateurs and locals bringing treasures from their cellars and attics. This is the flea market where you will find pretty much everything – clothes, books, textiles and bric-a-brac of all shapes and sizes and all ages – it’s a paradise for flea market fans.

Around 2 million people will visit this flea market over the course of the weekend – it is crowded so you’ll need to take your time, keep an eye on your bags and purses and make sure you don’t lose any of your bargains before you get home.

Top Tips to make the most of the Lille Flea market 2014

– Wear comfy shoes, there is a lot of walking to be done.

– Take bags to put your bargains in – the stall holders may not be able to supply them.

– Try the mussels and chips – it’s a local speciality and the restaurants in town will all be selling them. You’ll see them piling the empty mussel shells up outside their doors in a fun contest to build the highest pile.

– Leave the car at home – or at least in a car park outside the city. Unless you’ve managed to get a car parking space in town on Friday night and you’re happy to leave the car there until Monday morning – don’t bother. Loads of roads will be closed during the Lille Braderie, driving simply isn’t an option. There are car parks located outside the city where you can leave the car, they have metro stations close by that go straight into the City.

– Take the train – TER will run additional trains into and out of Lille throughout the weekend and tickets will be half price for the time the flea market is running; the journey from Paris takes about one hour and from London via Eurostar 1 hour 20 minutes.

– Get around on the metro, tram and buses – buy a cheap weekend or day pass and just hop on and off.

– Take a torch for night time shopping.

– Book accommodation in advance. The Lille Tourist Office staff have loads of experience and offer a free reservation service – and they always know the best prices and discounts available so email them or give them a ring (they speak English) to get some hotel help.