Nord Pas
de Calais France Departments: Pas-de-Calais, Nord.
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). Search for French Property for sale
and rental in Nord-Pas-de-Calais
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