Northern France: Nord Pas-de-Calais

Region at a glance

Major city: Lille

Located near Belgium and easy access to the Channel tunnel to England

Diverse landscape includes coastline, cliffs and gentle rolling hills

Flemish influence

Excellent museums

Regional cuisine often includes locally-brewed beer

Just over the border from Belgium and a hop or a tunnel across the Channel from England lies the Nord/Pas-de-Calais region. This picturesque land consists of contrasting forests, gentle meadows, and rolling hills dotted with windmills. Sandy beaches and imposing cliffs make up the 150-mile stretch of coastline. Visitors can cruise the network of canals and rivers and explore the expansive countryside and nature reserve parks. Many battlefields including Flanders Fields are in the region.

In Nord/Pas-de-Calais history and traditions are a significant part of daily life. There is almost always a fair, fete or festival going on; some dating back to the Middle Ages. The people of this region, eager to share their traditions, are warm and hospitable. The Flemish influence in this region is evident in its architecture, cuisine and the names of its towns.

Golf is the most popular sport followed by horseback riding, mountain biking and water sports.

Places of interest

Azincourt Scene of famous battle in 1415 between England's Henry V and France's Charles VI

Arras Birthplace of Robespierre, town hall, grand square of narrow houses with underground passages

Bavay Archeological excavations and museum of Roman city

Boulogne-sur-Mer Castle museum, the old town, Notre-Dame Basilica

Calais Fine Arts and Lace Museum, war museum

Le Cateau-Cambrésis Birthplace of Matisse and museum

Cambrai Porte de Paris-ruins of medieval fortifications, Notre-Dame Cathedral

Desvres Showcase of Desvres pottery

Douai Chartreuse museum, belfry tower

Dunkerque Museums of contemporary arts, fine arts and harbor life

Lens Host the 1998 Soccer World Cup

Lewarde Historical coal mining museum

Lille Birthplace of Charles de Gaulle, fine arts museum, 17th century stock exchange, gothic church

Ohlain 15th century moated castle

Saint-Omer Notre Dame Cathedral, Sendalin and Henri Dupuis museums

Le Touquet Edouard Champion Museum and doll museum

Valenciennes Fine arts museum known for its collection of Flemish and French schools

Villeneuve d'Ascq Modern Art Museum

Vimy WWI Canadian Memorial

Technical tourism and sports

Region specializes in textiles manufacturing, linen, cotton, lace

Hiking, boating, cycling, wind surfing and speed sailing.

Cuisine

Nord-Pas-de-Calais is known for its beer which is served in Flemish inns called "estaminets". The regional specialties include flamiche aux poireaux - an oven-baked pie with a filling of fresh leeks and coq à la bière - chicken cooked slowly in a beer sauce. Desserts are biscuits, cakes called "bêtises de Cambrai", and gaufres, a kind of waffle.