Christmas in Lille: When life slows down…

VTV.vn - On weekends, with classes temporarily suspended and the European cold approaching, we took advantage of a FlixBus ride from Brussels to Lille (France), a journey of just over an hour, to get a change of scenery and save money.

FlixBus left Brussels in the early morning sun, rolling through mist-covered fields, crossing the Belgian-French border so smoothly that if I hadn't paid attention to the signs, I probably wouldn't have realized I had entered another country. Lille appeared with its own unique tranquility of northern France – not noisy, not ostentatious, but enough to make one want to slow down.

Christmas in Lille isn't as dazzling and overwhelming as in Paris. The small city embraces the festive atmosphere in a very subtle way. The Grand Place square lights up with a large Christmas tree, a Ferris wheel, and the wooden stalls of the Christmas market. On the surrounding streets, decorative lights are neatly strung along balconies and windows, reflecting onto the rain-soaked pavement, creating a gentle, very "Northern French" beauty.

Grand Place Square at night

My friends and I wandered through the old quarter with its red brick houses and small windows. Here, people aren't in a hurry. Everything seems slower: from the footsteps of pedestrians, the rhythmic conversations of vendors, to the soft Christmas music emanating from an old shop. At one point, I suddenly thought: Christmas doesn't need to be extravagant, just warm enough so that homesickness doesn't become too overwhelming.

Lille's cuisine also evokes that feeling of intimacy. A steaming bowl of moules-frites, golden-brown fries with a rich gravy, or the famous gaufre Meert – a thin waffle filled with just the right amount of sweet vanilla ice cream – makes the winter chill more bearable. In the Christmas market, we held cups of hot chocolate, huddled beside small wooden stalls, listening to the simple "Joyeux Noël" greetings from the local vendors. Not overly intimate, but enough to make us feel like complete strangers.

Paul's Bakery, the world's first bakery, was founded in 1889 and is located in the heart of Lille.

Amidst that very "European" Christmas atmosphere, I unexpectedly came across something familiar and heartwarming – a small Vietnamese sandwich shop on a not-too-crowded street. The simple sign, the aroma of warm bread and pâté wafting through the cold winter air, almost made me stop instinctively. The sandwich, wrapped in brown paper, was generously filled with meat, pickles, and cilantro – a very Vietnamese flavor. Taking a bite, I suddenly realized that Christmas isn't just about sparkling lights or cheerful festive music, but also about the feeling of touching a familiar part of Vietnam in distant France.

A small Vietnamese sandwich shop located on a street in Lille.

The vendor – also Vietnamese – asked me in her native language, "Are you studying here?" Just a short question, but enough to make the conversation last longer than expected. We talked a little about our studies, living far from home, and the cold European winters. The taste of Vietnam, even in the midst of Christmas, was fleeting and subtle, but enough to make our trip more complete.

The people of Lille also left a very unique impression on my trip. They weren't boisterous, but they weren't overly reserved either. When I struggled to read the French menu, the waitress smiled and slowly explained it in English, occasionally adding a few French phrases to help me "get used to it." And as night fell, Lille became even friendlier. Craft beer gardens and small eateries gradually filled with locals, chatting and laughing heartily. That warm atmosphere made me realize: Lille isn't a city for "checking in," but a place to feel – with slow steps and very ordinary encounters.

The author of this article took photos in the canal area of ​​Lille, showcasing the region's distinctive architectural style.

The Grand Lille clock tower at La Grand Place

Front view of the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille

Our late Sunday evening FlixBus ride brought us back to Brussels as the city lit up. A short, inexpensive weekend trip, but enough to fully capture the festive spirit. Just over an hour's drive from Brussels, Lille is the ideal choice for those wanting to avoid the crowds but still experience the European Christmas spirit. And in the winter chill, a cup of hot chocolate in the quiet streets of Lille evokes a stronger Christmas feeling than even the brightly lit streets of glamorous Paris.

Source: https://vtv.vn/giang-sinh-o-lille-khi-nhip-song-cham-lai-100251217111854367.htm