Lille - plus a question about car seats in French taxis

[nappybrain]

Would really appreciate tips from anyone that has been recently. Thinking of going on Eurostar with toddler for a weekend.
Also wondering what the position is with a toddler going in a French taxi re. car seats - dont fancy taking ours with us - what have others done? Just thinking of how to get from Eurostar terminal in Lille to a hotel. Thanks.

It is 3.5 years since I took DS age 4 months with my sister so it may have changed. Lille itself is very beautiful, if small and it did rain the whole time we were there which apparantly is not uncommon. Our hotel was close enough to the eurostar station for us to walk, I pushed buggy and hand luggage and my sister had suitcase on wheels so we didn't need to use a taxi.
My only 'complaint' was that restaurants were really child unfriendly which suprised me. Couldn't get the buggy in hardly any of them and wasn't too keep on leaving it outside in the pouring rain, one actually refused us entry with DS in case he disturbed other diners!!! We would ahve been OK if we wanted fast food - in the end we found some moroccan resturants and were welcomed like family. DS was fussed over and the food was great.

Sorry, only just seen this thread. I live in Lille
and I'm surprised to hear sibble's experience of restaurants being child unfriendly. we've never had a problem with dd (9months now) apart from the fact that the waiters won't leave you alone because they're so interested in talking to dd!! I've never used a taxi with dd but if you're staying in the city you shouldn't need one as all attractions, restaurants etc are easily accessible on foot/tram or metro. The tram and metro are all child friendly and they go free. Lille Europe station is also right in town. Feel free to ask me anything else. Perhaps we could meet up?

Thanks for the help so far. We have had similar problems with restaurants and buggys before in France sibble! And have found that few have highchairs for some reason.... It is dh's 40th birthday that weekend so any tips for nice - and child friendly places to eat Babybags would be really appreciated...And places that might entertain a 19 month old if anyone has any ideas??? From what you both say it sounds as though we should be able to manage on foot and by metro - I am also pregnant so don't fancy hiking around too much! Thanks again for your comments.

We went to Lille for 3 days last Easter and one thing I remember is that there are some great restaurants. Went to L'Hiutriere for lunch one day, and a French couple had a few months old babe asleep in its puschair at their table. Our dd was 6 so not a problem. Walked everywhere, including from the Eurostar terminal to hotel. Did get taxi back to station when leaving however as Lille has some great shops. My dh liked the beers as Lille is old Flanders and looks more like Belgium or Holland than France.

As cam said L'Huitriere is an excellent if expensive (Michelin starred)mainly fish restaurant,La Cour des Grands has been recommended although I haven't eaten there myself, le Compostelle is very nice and a little cheaper and La Cave aux Fioles is cosy and relaxed with great food. Obviously there are lots more but I am always happy to take any of my family/friends to these places.
There's a great zoo here (at the Citadelle) which is open in the summer and is free. There are a few fairground type rides there for little ones too.

Hope that helps, if you want more specific info like tel nos etc let me know.

Thanks for the further ideas - have booked a hotel near the Eurostar station so hopefully we can just walk or metro from there. Zoo sounds great Babybags - but we are visiting next month so it sounds as though it will be closed then

To be honest, the way the weather is at the moment you wouldn't want to go to the zoo anyway. I'll check up on other activities and let you know.