The new Lille attracts gays

Dec. 07 2013

by Romain Morinière / TÊTU

just a stone's throw from the train stations and Euralille, the architecture of Saint-Maurice is seductive. Its recent construction near the heart of the city has made it a fashionable residential area in a few years, attracting a good part of Lille's gay population.

Representative of this urban renewal with an eco-friendly touch, the Jardin des Géants is a poetic green setting, where you can stroll between gigantic wicker faces covered with vegetation.

The Vieux Lille - the counterpart of the Parisian Marais - is more formal and always offers a parade of impeccably dressed figures, sunglasses firmly placed on their noses. In the cobbled streets of this neighborhood with its preserved old architecture, fashion lovers renew their wardrobe, notably at The Room (22, rue Masurel), or have a drink at Vice Versa (3, rue de la Barre) or Privilège (2, rue Royale), two gay bars facing each other and which concentrate most of the neighborhood's male clientele.

on the other side of the street, Wazemmes le populaire also attracts gays. Around its Maison Folie, diversity and culture flourish thanks to a highly developed network of associations. The neighborhood market smells of fresh mint, and is for many a Sunday morning pleasure. People from all walks of life mix there and fill their baskets, before meeting up for a beer at aperitif time.

And you, what are you doing this weekend?

Our favorite addresses in Lille :

Décalé
Saint-Sauveur train station
17, boulevard Jean-Baptiste-Lebas.
Exhibitions open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 7pm.
Bistro Wednesday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 11 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1 am and Sundays from 11:30 am to 9 pm.

This former freight station has been converted into a vast cultural and leisure space and hosts offbeat exhibitions, concerts and festivals. After their wanderings, the inhabitants of Lille meet at the Bistrot de "St-So", to enjoy its large sunny terrace

Cosy
Le Gossip Bar
80 ter, rue Saint-André, from 5 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday to Thursday, until 1 a.m. on Friday and 2 a.m. on Saturday.

The cozy setting of the Gossip Bar welcomes a mostly female clientele, without being closed to boys. On the walls, frequently renewed artists expose their photographs or nude inks, while the decibels are dispensed with parsimony.

Chic
Philip Restaurant & Bar
19, rue de Gand. Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 6 pm to midnight. Until 1 am on Friday and 2 am on Saturday.

Bar or restaurant, wine tasting or disco night, the Philip cultivates chic while avoiding labels. A friendly address which lends itself as well to afterworks as to a dinner for two or a night with friends.

Increvable
Tchouka Club
80 bis, rue Barthélémy-Delespaul. From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays eves.

Always crowded, Tchouka Club remains a must for late night. House music lovers will be seduced, while others will prefer themed evenings such as the "Night of the dead singers... or almost", where they can rock out to the ever-popular Dalida and Britney!

Find all the gay and gay-friendly addresses in Lille in the Lille gay guide