Some weeks, welcoming guests means a little more than usual. In early October, we hosted several people who had come to Lille for the final examinations for the title of Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. Everything took place just a short walk from La Maison Fives, at the Lycée Hôtelier International de Lille in the Fives Cail neighbourhood.
Among our guests was Emmanuel Cadieu, who stayed with us for two nights. On 8 October 2026, he earned the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in sommellerie. Hearing the news after welcoming him into our house was a special moment for us.
Cooking, sommellerie, restaurant service and table arts, and bartending: four examination classes came together at Lille’s international hotel school. Over several days, candidates, judges, teachers and students made the school a meeting place for the restaurant professions.
Alain Ducasse, president of the Cooking class, was among those present. Speaking before the results, he highlighted the importance of bringing these professions together and praised the work of the school’s teams and students. Read his remarks (in French).
We did not attend the examinations. These are professional assessments, and we experienced the week from the house, through the people staying with us and the reports published from the event.
The MOF: an examination, rather than a podium
People often refer to the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France “competition”. But the principle is worth explaining: it is an examination recognising mastery of a profession.
The aim is not to finish ahead of everyone else. Each candidate must meet the required standard. Several professionals can therefore earn the title in the same speciality.
Emmanuel Cadieu leads the sommellerie team at Cheval Blanc Paris. His career took him to London and Sydney before he joined the Parisian hotel. An international background in a profession where knowledge of wine goes hand in hand with listening and hospitality. Discover his career (in French).
The sommellerie finals took place in Lille on 7 and 8 October 2026, with nine finalists. At the end of the two days, two names were announced: Emmanuel Cadieu and Edmond Gasser. Read the results report (in French).
Congratulations to them both, with a special thought for Emmanuel, whom we had the pleasure of welcoming during his stay in Lille.
A special week at La Maison Fives
We also welcomed Sandrine Kauffer-Binz, who was covering the event for Les Nouvelles Gastronomiques, along with two other candidates: one in sommellerie and another in maître d’hôtel service.
The week also reminded us why we do this. We regularly welcome people travelling for work: journalists, doctors, sales representatives, conference speakers, business leaders… Giving them a good night’s sleep and somewhere quiet to work is our small contribution to what they have come to Lille to do.
So we focus on simple things: peace and quiet, a good internet connection, a desk with a socket in every room, and breakfast at your own pace. A good coffee machine is available in the lounge; each room also has a kettle for making coffee, tea or herbal tea. Everything you need to work, study or simply unwind before the next day.
Our lounge and a workspace in one of the rooms. Photos: La Maison Fives.
Stay near the Lycée Hôtelier International de Lille
Coming to Lille for training, an examination or an appointment at the hotel school? La Maison Fives is just a short walk away, in the heart of Fives Cail.
It is also a starting point for exploring the neighbourhood and extending your stay in Lille. We would be delighted to welcome you, whether you are here for an important milestone or simply a few days of discovery.
Bruges, Ghent… and why not Lille? Around an hour’s drive from Bruges and fifty minutes from Ghent, another city with Flemish roots awaits across the French border. Colourful façades, lively squares, good food and a character all its own: Lille makes a rewarding next stop. Stay for one or two nights to start exploring at an unhurried pace.
Your Lille stopover at a glance
From Bruges: around 1 hour by car.
From Ghent: around 50 minutes by car.
A comfortable pace: two days and one or two nights.
What to explore: old Lille, Flemish architecture, food stops and Fives Cail.
Indicative driving times between cities, outside heavy traffic. Your journey depends on your starting point, route and traffic; check before setting off.
Flemish heritage on the French side of the border
Arrive on the Grand’Place and look up. Brick, stone, ornament and colour: Lille rewards attention to the details. The Vieille Bourse, between the Grand’Place and Place du Théâtre, is a wonderful introduction to the city’s Flemish heritage. Walk around the building, then step into its courtyard if it is open.
Often nicknamed the “capital of Flanders”, Lille has a history connected to the County of Flanders. Today it is a French city shaped by several influences. That makes it an appealing stop after Bruges or Ghent: a thread of shared heritage, followed by fresh surroundings to explore. Lille is called Rijsel in Dutch, a useful name to recognise along the way.
Day 1: follow your curiosity through old Lille
Morning: a walk rather than a checklist
Start at the Grand’Place, the Vieille Bourse and Place du Théâtre, then follow Rue Esquermoise into the old town. Continue along Rue de la Monnaie towards Place aux Oignons. Leave room for detours: a shop window, a courtyard, a façade detail or a café terrace might become your favourite moment of the morning.
The route lends itself to walking, though comfortable shoes help on the cobbles. If you enjoy a guided introduction, explore the options from the Lille tourist office to add context to what you see.
A traditional estaminet, a carbonade stew, seasonal cooking or a contemporary restaurant: choose whatever suits your mood. Part of the pleasure of staying in Lille is lingering over a meal. For something sweet, Rue Esquermoise is also your chance to try a waffle at Méert. Book a restaurant if you are visiting at the weekend and check opening hours before you go.
Afternoon: one museum, then time to wander
Stay in the old town for the Musée de l’Hospice Comtesse, or spend the afternoon at the Palais des Beaux-Arts. Choose one visit rather than trying to fit everything in. Afterwards, keep some time for independent shops, coffee or another walk. Check museum opening days and exhibitions when planning your stay.
Day 2: discover another side of Lille at Fives Cail
After the squares and façades of the centre, change the scenery. At Fives Cail, former industrial halls are finding a new role in neighbourhood life. This is another way into Lille: its working history, its transformation and places where people come together.
The Chaud Bouillon food hall is part of that discovery. Check its opening times and programme to choose your moment: lunch, a food outing or an event listed for your dates. The City of Lille explains the venue’s role in Fives Cail (in French).
Keep this second day flexible: explore Fives Cail in the morning, enjoy lunch, then return to the centre for a final stroll before leaving. With two nights, you can enjoy another evening instead. A city break feels easier when every hour does not come with an appointment.
Where to stay: La Maison Fives
La Maison Fives welcomes you in the Fives Cail neighbourhood. Our Five-Room Hotel has five bedrooms with private bathrooms, with 150 square metres dedicated to guests, including shared spaces. It is a small, welcoming place to return to after a day of exploring.
Come back to the house after a day in Lille. Photo: La Maison Fives.
The house also includes a ceramics studio, part of its distinctive identity. Discover the rooms, plan your arrival and check availability on our hotel page. Our FAQ helps with the practical details of your stay.
Make Lille your next stop after Bruges and Ghent
Give yourself time to discover the city, then come back to the house.
Yes. Their proximity by car makes it easy to add a French stop to your trip. Allow around an hour from Bruges and fifty minutes from Ghent, plus a margin for traffic. These times exclude parking and travel within Lille.
Is one day enough, or should I stay for a weekend?
One day offers a first look at the centre. Two days give you time to slow down, visit a museum and explore another neighbourhood. One night avoids a same-day return journey; two nights offer more flexibility.
Do I need the car to explore the centre?
The suggested old-town route is a walking itinerary. Plan parking and local travel before arriving; see our FAQ for details relating to the house. If travelling by train, check connections with the SNCB journey planner: the driving times above do not apply to rail.
Catherine Meurisse: a book dedication over breakfast at La Maison Fives
Yesterday morning, we experienced a rather magical moment at La Maison Fives. Visiting Lille to present her new graphic novel, Le Clan de Walden, the brilliant author and illustrator Catherine Meurisse stayed with us, just a short walk from Le Biglemoi bookshop and café, where she had held a talk and book signing the evening before. We’re in Lille Fives, very close to Fives Cail Babcock, and clearly… chance worked out beautifully.
A surprise dedication over breakfast
At breakfast, Catherine spotted our copy of Le Clan de Walden on the table. Her first instinct was to open it and check whether it had already been signed. It hadn’t. With a mischievous smile, she asked: “Shall I sign it for you?” We’d barely had time to say yes before she returned with her coloured pencils. Settled comfortably at our large table, she took the time to draw a picture and write a proper dedication “for Soula and Ben, La Maison Fives”. A gentle, simple moment that reminded us why we love bringing this slightly unusual place to stay to life, somewhere between a guesthouse and a little everyday gallery.
France Inter in the studio, Catherine on the radio… and beside us
Fun fact: while Catherine enjoyed breakfast, we were working next door in our ceramics studio and shop, with France Inter playing in the background. On the radio was Charline Vanhoenacker, broadcasting from Melle… with Catherine Meurisse as her guest. So Catherine was a few metres away from us and, at the same time, “inside” the radio. “How is that possible? I’m here with you and on the radio at the same time,” she joked. We loved this little mirror effect.
Our copy of Le Clan de Walden has found its place
This lovely moment will stay with us. Our Le Clan de Walden now has its place in the house, a reminder of a stop in Lille during a book tour, just a short walk from Lille-Fives and Fives-Cail. If you don’t know the author yet, we really recommend exploring her world; you can learn more about her career here: Catherine Meurisse. And if you’re visiting Lille Fives, we’re here: an intimate hotel, a handful of rooms, accommodation designed like a home, and right next door a ceramics studio that comes alive with each new idea.
Practical information and thanks
Thank you to Le Biglemoi bookshop and café for the event, and congratulations to Catherine on this tour. To place us on the map: we’re in Lille Fives Cail, in a lively part of the city that inspires us every day.
We have not sent anything to anyone yet: no press release, no fanfare. And yet here we are, mentioned alongside established places such as Hermitage Gantois, Oceania Les Augustins, Grand Hôtel Bellevue, Mama Shelter and Babel. The little one on a page full of big names. For our five-room house, that honestly means a lot.
Why it matters to us
We imagined La Maison Fives as a welcoming place on a human scale: warm, design-led accommodation in the changing district of Lille Fives Cail, with its rough edges, lovely surprises and good vibes. It is our own way, as Ben & Soula, of bringing together a small five-room guesthouse and a studio and shop for ceramics and creative work. Seeing this project noticed among well-known addresses gives us a real boost for what comes next.
Where we are now
We are still refining, putting things together and testing. The last details are coming into place in the house, the studio and the shop. No overpromising, just a desire to do things well. We will keep you updated here and on our social channels whenever we have something concrete to share.
Discover the world of La Maison Fives in Lille and stay connected for the latest news about our rooms, studio and ceramics. To read more and follow us on social media, head to the Facebook post.
8am. Autumn morning. The light is just starting to appear and everything is still wet. No dog today — Gapi is on holiday. So we walk straight through the middle of the park.
A quiet spot to start the day in Lille
The Jean-Baptiste Lebas Park — often called JB Lebas or the “red park” — has something a bit magical on cool mornings: shiny grass, damp pathways, and the city slowly waking up around it. This park, set between Moulins and Lille-Centre, used to be a parking lot before being transformed into a real green space more than fifteen years ago. It’s the perfect place for a gentle run or a walk when staying at La Maison Fives.
A neighbourhood in transformation
Lille Fives and the Lille Fives Cail area are full of energy. More and more creative projects and local initiatives are emerging: studios, galleries, small shops, and places where ceramics and the arts take shape. It’s exactly what we wanted to contribute to by turning this corner house into a design-focused accommodation: welcoming, creating, sharing. Our ceramic studio-shop just behind the hotel is part of that dynamic.
For our visitors
If you stay with us, don’t forget your trainers. Whether you’re into running, a slow morning walk, or hunting for photo spots, Parc JB Lebas is a great starting point to explore Lille. And if you feel like staying cosy at home, our shop and ceramic studio are open to chat about ceramics, discover unique pieces, and leave with a local souvenir.
To explore our hotel, our rooms, and our studio-shop, it’s here: La Maison Fives.
See you soon
We end the run, head back for a coffee, and go straight to the studio. If you want to follow our little mix of morning runs and ceramics, visit the original Facebook post to watch the reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2070604583747332/
