It is the part of the weekend nobody plans for, and often the one that spoils the memory. At 6pm this Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people leave central Lille at the same time. Here is how to avoid the crush on the way home.
The 6pm peak
The official close of the Braderie creates a wave effect: everyone converges on the stations and metro stops simultaneously. Platforms fill, trains leave packed, and waiting times can stretch considerably.
The remedy is simple: leave off-peak. Heading out of the centre around 4.30pm, or conversely lingering on a terrace until 8pm, completely changes the experience. The second option is more pleasant anyway: the streets empty gradually and the city recovers its calm.
Train: check your times now
If you are travelling home by train, do not discover the last departure time at 7pm. Check it beforehand and allow a comfortable margin: walking to Lille-Flandres or Lille-Europe takes far longer than usual through congested streets.
Pay particular attention to cross-border services to Belgium, which become noticeably less frequent in the evening. Our train page details access to the stations.
Metro and car
The metro runs an enhanced service, but the central stations are the most saturated. A regular's trick: walk one or two stops outwards before going underground. You will board a emptier train and often save time.
If you came by car, note that streets reopen to traffic gradually, spread out after closing. Do not expect to retrieve a vehicle parked inside the area for several hours. Our article on parking covers this point.
Before you set off
Check you have forgotten nothing, count your purchases and keep enough to pay for the journey. If you are carrying bulky items, favour the most accessible stations rather than the nearest one.
Leave early and you will remember the Braderie for your finds rather than for a crowded platform.