This is it: the Braderie de Lille 2026 is open. Since 8am this morning, hundreds of thousands of visitors have been walking the city's streets. Here is how to get the most from this first day, Saturday 5 September.
The rhythm of the day
The morning belongs to the hunters. Until around 11am, moving about stays easy and the best pieces are still available. This is the moment to comb your priority area.
From 2pm, attendance peaks and the music stages start up on the central squares. Progress slows noticeably: time to switch to a quieter sector or take a break. Our article on quiet hours sets out the alternatives.
In the evening the atmosphere changes again and the night of the Braderie begins, with its stalls lit by torchlight.
Highlights not to miss
The half-marathon livens up the morning. The comic book fair and the funfair welcome visitors all day. And of course the mussels and chips ritual, whose piles of shells will start growing outside the restaurants from midday.
The full programme lists everything that is on.
Today's habits
Keep your belongings in front of you in the crowd and spread money and documents about your person. Drink regularly, as the distances covered are deceptive. And do not wait until you are hungry to eat: our queue-free solutions will save you an hour.
If you are hunting in a group or with family, agree on a meeting point and a time right now: the mobile network saturates quickly. The safety guidance covers the other useful precautions.
And on haggling
This morning, sellers concede little: they have just set up. The room for negotiation will widen late tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, our guide to the art of haggling will give you the right instincts.
Happy hunting: Europe's largest flea market awaits you.