L'Automne à Lille II

hoto © Anne-Marie Minhall

I am back in Lille & staying over for a few days in this beautiful city for the first time.

My hotel is L'Hermitage Gantois which was founded in the 15th Century as a hospice to help the poor & the sick in Lille. It's a beautiful place which has maintained the historic architectural bones of the building. I've never stayed anywhere quite like it before. Everywhere you turned there were pieces of contemporary art intertwined with statues and artefacts. The hotel is also home to a spa & I availed myself to one of its treatments my second morning there. I'm on holiday, right?

https://www.hotelhermitagegantois.com/en/ 

There's also a brasserie within the hotel called L'Estaminet Gantois serving local cuisine of Northern France - Pork Cheek with Turnips & Baby Onions, Veal Tenderloin with Pont-Neuf Potatoes, Licques Chicken, Label Rouge IGP & Corn Mousseline. Craft beers are the big thing here in Lille. I'm more of a wine girl so it was a glass of fizz followed by a lovely St Emilion & here's what I ordered for lunch ..

Pâté flavoured with Tonka Beans, Spiced Crumble, Organic Candied Beetroot Purée & Cranberry Chutney. Sweet & savoury with some excellent bread - not too heavy.

The special of the day was Confit Duck with Crispy Potatoes. The best duck I have ever tasted. Wonderful light crackling skin encasing succulent meat - utterly delicious.

There was no room for cheese or a sweet dessert. Instead, a gentle stroll in the autumn sunshine to walk off lunch. The only stop was at a local Monoprix, a fabulous supermarket. I picked up some bread, a stinky, soft fromage, some chocolate & what turned out to be a very agreeable Burgundy. 

Back in my room, (complete with fridge), I unpacked my goodies, kicked off my shoes, put on my comfies & settled in for the evening with some French TV - my favourite - 4 Mariages. 

Don't ask.

AMM