HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Lille’s well known art museums, the Palais des Beaux-Arts and the Musee d’Art Moderne
Marvel at the spectacular scenery whilst walking along the Cote d’Opale coastline<
Explore the Flemish-style Grand Place and Place des Heros in the centre of Arras<
Soak up the atmosphere stepping back in time on the Plage des Allies at Dunkirk

Nord-Pas-de-Calais

The three main Channel ports along the most northern stretch of French coastline are Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne. Dunkirk has earned a place in the history books as a result of the massive evacuation of 340,000 British, French and Belgian soldiers from its beaches in 1940. Calais is known as a thriving premier trans-Channel port and Boulogne has a strong maritime flavour with its busy marina at the heart of this fishing community.

In the Middle Ages this northern tip of France, along with part of Belgium and an area of the Netherlands, made up a principality known as Flanders. Some people in the region still speak Flemish and the landscape, which consists of windmills and canals is far less typical of France, as is the local’s taste for beer rather than wine! A superb example of Flemish architecture can be found in the centre of Arras where two enchanting cobbled squares are nestled between 155 houses with 17th century Flemish-style facades.

The dominant city in this area is Lille with its attractive old town, excellent art museums and superb shopping.