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Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Pictured Above: Historical buildings in the city of Lille

Bordering Belgium, and only a tunnel ride across the English Channel to Great Britain, Nord-Pas-de-Calais acts as a sort of European crossroads. The TGV rail lines running from London, Brussels, and Paris also meet in Lille, making this region the perfect hub for the European traveler. Although it is so easy to travel out of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, be sure to take in all the natural and historical beauty and art this region has to offer before leaving. The French coast from Calais to Boulogne-sur-Mer, known as the Côte d'Opale, is known for its beautiful cliffs and capes. Stroll along the sandy beaches of one of les Deux Caps, Cap Blanc Nez or Cap Gris Nez, and on a clear day, view the white cliffs of Dover in Great Britain. While in this région, don’t miss the belfries (bell towers) of Belgium and France, which are on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, or La Piscine, the Museum of Art and Industry in Roubaix, which is a former art-deco pool turned museum. Also be sure to visit the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille. It was one of the first museums built in France and established under the instructions of Napoleon I at the beginning of the 19th century as part of the popularization of art. Be sure to try the popular moules-frites (mussels and fries), served with a tasty regional beer and top off your meal with a bit of Jenever before saying farewell to this Crossroads in the North of France.

Highlights
Départements: Nord and Pas-de-Calais.

Capital: Lille

Regional Culinary Specialties:
Moules-frites, Jenever (a juniper-flavored liquor, similar to Gin), and Waterzooï. Also, nearly everything is cooked in a pot.

Good to Know:
-Cap Gris Nez is the closest point of France to England.