Haute cuisine in Hauts-de-France: A Luxurious Long Weekend in Northern France

After a laid-back morning with a lie-in followed by a delicious breakfast, it’s time to head to your next destination, the charming city of Lens which is a one-and-a-half-hour drive away. Check into a cosy hotel which is well situated for visiting the Louvre-Lens Museum this afternoon. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, meet your private guide and head to the Louvre. The museum, which is housed inside a magnificent glass building designed by the Japanese architect firm SANAA, is a decentralised wing of the Paris museum and your guide will talk you through the masterpieces on display. This evening, feast on some delicious culinary delights whisked up by the restaurant’s talented chefs.

It’s your last full day in northern France so wake up bright and early this morning to make the most of it. After a hearty breakfast, hop into your hire car and travel to the region’s largest city: Lille, just a 30-minute drive away. Instead of stopping straight away, continue on a further 20 minutes to reach Roubaix, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit La Piscine, a museum of art and industry, with a private guide. The city's former swimming pool, an Art Deco masterpiece, was considered the most beautiful in France when it opened. Its renovation, entrusted to the architect Jean-Paul Philippon, has given it a new role as a cultural and artistic centre. Around the main pool, you can wander between the unique works of art and the various exhibition rooms.

Head back to Lille to check in to your last hotel of the weekend: a private mansion in Vieux Lille, the old part of town, which comes with a fine-dining restaurant serving sophisticated Michelin-starred cuisine. Spend the rest of this afternoon and evening soaking in the delights of the city: its boutique shops, gourmet restaurants and trendy cafes and bars. We could also arrange for you to head out with a knowledgeable private guide to discover Lille’s must-sees.