Nord Pas De Calais region
The Nord Pas de Calais has a tendency to be the region you drive through on arrival in France, on the way to somewhere else! This is a great shame as the region has much to offer the visitor and it is worth spending some time there. The landscape varies from flat coastal plains to rolling farmland and woods inland.
There are chic coastal resorts such as Le Touquet and Boulogne and peaceful rural areas dotted with tiny villages. The city of Lille is also found in the department, with all that it has to offer. Flanders, part of the region has many memorial sites from World War 1 and was also the scene of the incredible evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkerque in World War 2. The area is also famous for beer brewing and it is widely used in local cooking.
Accommodation of all kinds is widely available throughout the region. There are chic fashionable hotels in Le Touquet, city culture, rural auberges and gites and apartments to suit all tastes and all budgets. Whatever your choice you are assured of a warm welcome.
The Departments
The department of Nord is the first part of France you come to if you take the ferry to Dunkerque. This town suffered very badly during World War 2, it has been rebuilt but is not the most beautiful town in the department. Lille is the capital of the department and is a large city with excellent shopping, hotels, cafes and restaurants. It is becoming more visited now due to the direct Eurostar service from Waterloo. It also has many architectural and cultural sites of interest. There are many sporting activities on offer around the area with walking in the large forest to beaches with all watersports available.
Pas de Calais is the larger of the two departments and has a large stretch of coastline. There are miles of sandy beaches to choose from and several fashionable towns to visit, especially Le Touquet which was very popular with 19th century Parisians and still retains its elegant feeling. Inland there are many rivers and the countryside is very rural. Life moves at a slower pace. The town of Arras was much fought over during World War 2 and is a fascinating place to visit with many museums, churches, galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants to hold your attention.
The Nord Pas de Calais has a tendency to be the region you drive through on arrival in France, on the way to somewhere else! This is a great shame as the region has much to offer the visitor and it is worth spending some time there. The landscape varies from flat coastal plains to rolling farmland and woods inland.
There are chic coastal resorts such as Le Touquet and Boulogne and peaceful rural areas dotted with tiny villages. The city of Lille is also found in the department, with all that it has to offer. Flanders, part of the region has many memorial sites from World War 1 and was also the scene of the incredible evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkerque in World War 2. The area is also famous for beer brewing and it is widely used in local cooking.Accommodation of all kinds is widely available throughout the region. There are chic fashionable hotels in Le Touquet, city culture, rural auberges and gites and apartments to suit all tastes and all budgets. Whatever your choice you are assured of a warm welcome.
The DepartmentsThe department of Nord is the first part of France you come to if you take the ferry to Dunkerque. This town suffered very badly during World War 2, it has been rebuilt but is not the most beautiful town in the department. Lille is the capital of the department and is a large city with excellent shopping, hotels, cafes and restaurants. It is becoming more visited now due to the direct Eurostar service from Waterloo. It also has many architectural and cultural sites of interest. There are many sporting activities on offer around the area with walking in the large forest to beaches with all watersports available.
Pas de Calais is the larger of the two departments and has a large stretch of coastline. There are miles of sandy beaches to choose from and several fashionable towns to visit, especially Le Touquet which was very popular with 19th century Parisians and still retains its elegant feeling. Inland there are many rivers and the countryside is very rural. Life moves at a slower pace. The town of Arras was much fought over during World War 2 and is a fascinating place to visit with many museums, churches, galleries, shops, cafes and restaurants to hold your attention.