Nord Pas de Calais France Main Towns: Ambleteuse, Ardres, Arques, Arras, Avesnes-sur-Helpe, Bailleul, Bavay, Berck-plage, Bergues, Beussent, Bethune, Boulogne, Calais, Cambrai, Cassel, Desvres, Douai, Dunkerque, Etaples, Fourmies, Ghyvelde, Gravelines, Guines, Hardelot, Hesdin, Le Quesnoy, Le Touquet, Lens, Lewarde, Lille, Maroilles, Maubeuge, Montreuil, Noeux-les-mines, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, Saint Omer, Valenciennes, Villeneuve, Vimy, Wimereux, Wissant.

France is just over the border from Belgium and a hop or a tunnel across the Channel from England. The Flemish influence in this region is evident in its architecture, cuisine and the names of its towns.

The whole of Nord-Pas-de-Calais is a picturesque land of contrasting forests, gentle meadows, and rolling hills dotted with windmills. Sandy beaches and imposing cliffs line the 150-mile stretch of coastline. Visitors can cruise the network of canals and rivers and explore the wide countryside and nature reserves.

The channel ports of Dunkerque, Calais and Boulogne, and the refined resort of Le Touquet, are the focal points along a busy coastline that stretches from the Somme estuary to the Belgian frontier. Le Touquet, an elegant all-year round resort created in the 19th century, has always attracted the rich and trendy from London and Paris, hence its original name: Paris-Plage, now officially re-baptized Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. Lille is the capital city, a sprawling modern metropolis with lively historic heart and an excellent art museum.

Golf is the most popular sport, followed by horseback riding, mountain biking and water sports. This region specialises in textiles, manufacturing linen, cotton, and lace. Nord-Pas-de-Calais is known for its beer, which is served in Flemish inns, called "estaminets". Gastronomic specialities include: Coq à la bière, Boulettes d'Avesnes and Maroilles, two varieties of cheese known for their strong flavour and pungent bouquet. The visitor with a sweet tooth will want to try Bêtises de Cambrai (mint flavoured sweets).

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