If you’re a fan of French cinema, a visit to Lille is a must. Indeed, the ‘Northern City’ – it lies just south of the Belgian border – was the setting for a French box-office hit: Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (Welcome to the Sticks). Released in 2008, this comedy attracted more than 20 million viewers in France – a record no other film has broken to this day. To relive scenes from the movie, start at Rue de la Grande Chaussée, one of the city’s best-known streets. If you’re familiar with the plot, you’ll know that the postal employees suggest to their new boss from Provence, Philippe Abrams, that they get to know one another by having dinner together in Old Lille. They all drive to this picturesque street. On the menu are endive and ham gratin, Flemish stew and Maroilles cheese pie – all local specialities that would win over the Southerner and help him gradually fall in love with the North.
Read more
