Highlights
First port of call is Calais to scale the lighthouse for coastal views and glimpse the red-brick belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rodin originals grace the Museum of Fine Art and Lace. Boulogne-sur-Mer dishes up Greek artefacts in the Château Museum and underwater encounters in Nausicaa. Explore Dunkerque's dunes and vibrant port, the one-time haunt of pirates, and seek solace on the Opal Coast's pristine beaches.
Step inland to amble through Arras' market square, framed by tall Flemish townhouses, or discover the Matisse Museum in Le Cateau-Cambrésis. You can spend days grazing on Lille's riches, stretching from the Grand' Place's lofty gables to Goya at the Palais des Beaux-Arts.
Time your visit to catch some of the Nord-Pas de Calais wackiest events from turkey parades to fish feasts. Mix sightseeing with boutique shopping and a whirlwind tour of the chocolatiers in Lille. Hire your own set of wheels to reach the region's remote corners.
