le bloc

When I was invited to visit Cologne by Thalys and Köln Tourismus, I had no idea what to expect. My last visit to the city was more than ten years ago and didn't make a lasting impression. Travelling high-speed by train has been my favourite means of transportation for a while now: Paris, Amsterdam and London are but hours away, I can read or make use of the WiFi, catch glimpses of the changing scenery outside and to top it off - it's better for the environment than taking a plane. So I jumped at the chance to visit Cologne during 'le bloc', a fashion festival in the Belgian Quarter of the city.

The 'Belgische Viertel' consists of a dozen streets where small boutiques and young designers found a home. During 'le bloc'-festival more than 70 shops, bars and galeries open their doors, plus there are fashion shows, pop-up stores, concert and workshops to discover. It felt like all of hip Köln had come out to celebrate - the Brüsseler Platz was packed with young people sharing beers...

Here are a couple of my favourite shops in the Belgian Quarter - check them out if you're in the city:
/Boutique Frau Kayser, Maastrichter Strasse 40-44: gifts, kids toys, accessories and gadgets
/L'éphémère, Maastrichter Strasse 46: clothes by Sessun, accessories and handbags
/Liebling, Limburger Strasse 2B: clothes by Attic and Barn, Mes Demoiselles and Wildfox, vintage fashion, perfumes, accessories and paper goods
/Magasin Populaire, Brüsseler Platz 8: clothes by Sessun, mbym, Animo and more, accessories and shoes
/Boutique Belgique, Brabanter Strasse 29: concept store - clothes, gifts, accessories and beauty 

More on my trip to Cologne coming soon...