Tourcoing is a charming town just over 15 kilometres from the bustling city of Lille. Its proximity to Belgium is so close that you can stroll twenty minutes from home to reach the border. And when you’re not busy hopping between countries, this former factory is the perfect place to put up your feet. Set in a majestic, red brick building, the imposing facade of this renovated block is a striking sight. Inside, the loft-style space of your apartment is a tour de force of modern architecture and design. We love the nods to its industrial past, with black metal columns and beams supporting a vast, open-plan space with high ceilings. The hexagonal tiles of the sleek, monochrome kitchen merge into the wooden floorboards in an unique way, while glass is another material of choice making up the staircase and the door out to the balcony. While this factory home is a piece of art in itself, you might also be looking for world-class galleries. Next stop, Lille. Jump on the TGV to reach the city centre in less than thirty minutes.

Home truths:
*There is no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots
*Free parking is available onsite in the car park
*You'll need to climb stairs to get around the home
*At full capacity, one guest will be sleeping on a sofa bed in the lounge
*To check in between 9 pm and midnight, there's a €22 fee, which increases to €44 between midnight and 6 am
*The entrance to the building is shared with other residents, not private to your home
*Your host can arrange for all sorts of extra services, such as airport transfer, breakfast, housekeeping, and ticket bookings – check with them about availability and pricing
*The bedrooms have lower, sloped ceilings which might not be comfortable for taller guests