Let your hair down in Lille, dance till dawn in Calais clubs or relax over a bottle of red in Boulogne-sur-Mer's labyrinthine old town.

Sip Trappist brews in a snug estaminet in Vieux Lille or join a young crowd in the student haunts peppering the Halles district. Fashionistas mingle with the beautiful people at B-Floor, pumping out house music till dawn. For culture, head to the Opera House.

Among partygoers who want to get merry before boarding the ferry, Calais is the top choice, with a glut of cosy pubs and wine bars around the Place d'Armes. Those that fancy a flutter make for the casino on Rue Royale, while revellers strut to RnB and electro at Le 555 or bop beneath the golden Buddha at Le Temple.

The night begins with a stroll along Dunkerque's regenerated docklands, pausing for local brews in an inviting tavern like La Marie Jane on Quai de la Citadelle. Look up Le Bottleneck for regular blues concerts and a laid-back vibe.

Roman walls surround Boulogne-sur-Mer's knot of cobbled streets – the place to eat fresh fish in little bistros or linger over a glass of rouge on the terrace in summer.

Eschew Lille's Grand' Place in favour of lesser-known corners of Vieux Lille and Halles for local flavour, fewer tourists and pocket-pleasing prices.

Real ales are the tipple of choice in beer-loving Flanders. The grape also has its place (this is France after all), so expect well-stocked wine cellars and champagne-based cocktails. The local Genievre de Houlle (juniper gin) packs a punch.