nord-pas de calais

Just a short hop from England lies a region of contrasting landscapes

Nord-Pas de Calais is home to woods, rolling meadows and a varied coastline which stretches as far as the eye can see. An ideal destination to relax on a beach is Le Touquet, with its sand dunes and sandy beaches.

Art and architecture lovers should look no further than Lille - the French Flanders. Take in the cobbled squares and narrow streets and why not pay a visit to Le Palais des Beaux-Arts, where you'll find some of Monet and Renoir's works.

For a taste of the heritage and traditions held dear to France this region is a fine example. Fairs, fêtes and festivals are a part of daily life in Nord-Pas de Calais. While a wealth of heritage can be seen from the numerous monuments, museums and historic cities - St Omer for instance.

Cycling in Nord-Pas de Calais

If you're interested in cycling; Nord-pas de Calais local tourist boards have joined forces to highlight their favourite cycle routes. There are 32 suggested routes, varying in manageable lengths between 20 to 30 miles and come with notes for points of interest along the way that are a perfect excuse to pause and take in the sights, and take a breather!

The areas covered include routes in the tranquil Seven Valleys countryside to the south of Boulogne, costal rides along the Cote d'Opale between Calais and Berck-sur-Mer, routes exploring the Artois area that takes in historic Arras, and the region around St Omer.

For more information take a look at the Pas-de Calais website.