Nord-Pas-de-Calais

Travel Guide

Arras showing heritage elements, night scenes and street scenes
Arras featuring heritage elements and street scenes as well as an individual femail
Place des Heros featuring night scenes, outdoor eating and street scenes
Notre Dame Cathedral featuring art, religious aspects and interior views
Arras War Cemetery featuring a cemetery

Far from its sad, grey reputation, the Nord-Pas-de-Calais is alive with colour and celebrations where culture and gastronomy come together amidst glorious landscapes.

If you’ve never visited Nord-Pas-de-Calais, you’ll be surprised at the welcome and hospitality you’ll receive here you’ll meet people who are proud of their culture and heritage, who will invite you to taste local specialities and discover the most beautiful parts of the region. On the menu? Museums, beer, cheese, concerts, beaches and history.

To begin exploring the region, start in its main city, Lille, where you can visit the Palais des Beaux-arts fine arts museum, the Natural History Museum and the famous LaM museum of modern art. Don’t forget that in September the famous Lille flea market takes place, attracting millions of visitors. But the surrounding cities are every bit as good as Lille in terms of culture. There’s La Piscine museum of art and industry in Tourcoing, the Louvre-Lens Museum and the famous Rodin sculpture, Les Bourgeois de Calais, in the city of the same name. If you are not a lover of art, why not head to the Nausicaa national sealife centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer instead, or to the Fontinettes Boat Lift, an impressive structure located in the east of the Caps et Marais d’Opale regional nature park?

Caps et Marais d’Opale is also an ideal place to discover the region’s wooded landscapes, such as the Scarpe-Escaut regional nature park and the Avesnois regional nature park. For a completely different view, set off to discover the Opal Coast and its chalk cliffs, particularly around Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez. For an equally charming but perhaps slightly less salty and bracing walk, head to the Deûle canal, which crosses a large part of the region. To enjoy a beautiful view over French Flanders and to learn about the region’s mining history, head up the Mont des Cats hill, trying some of the excellent cheese and beer along the way!

To get to Nord-Pas-de-Calais, fly into Lille. You can also get to Lille on the Eurostar from St Pancras. Local TER trains run throughout the region from Lille, or you can get the high-speed TGV between the larger cities. A holiday in Nord-Pas-de-Calais is easily accessible, and this fascinating region can be discovered using public transport.

Alternatively, you can also get round with a rental car.

Where to stay in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

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Lille Centre Ville

Art galleries, museums, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Lille Centre Ville. Make a stop by Porte de Paris or Le Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Mairie de Lille Station or Rihour Station to get around town.

Lille Centre Ville
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Old Lille

Shopping, historic sites, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about Old Lille. Check out Lille Cathedral or Le Musée de la Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle while you're exploring the area.

Old Lille
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Historic Center

Travelers choose Historic Center for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Rihour Station or Republique Beaux Arts Station and check out top sights like Rihour Square.

Historic Center
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Calais City Center

The abundant dining options and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Calais City Center. A stop by Calais Lighthouse or Tour de Guet might round out your trip.

Calais City Center
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Le Marais

While there might not be top attractions in Le Marais, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille.

Le Marais
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Rosendaël

While there might not be top attractions in Rosendaël, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Malo-les-Bains Beach and Marcel-Tribut Stadium.

Rosendaël
Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place

4 out of 5
2 Boulevard Carnot, Lille, Nord
The price is P5,993 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
P5,993
P6,959 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (745 reviews)
"Excellent hotel in excellent location."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Mercure Lille Centre Grand Place
Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

4 out of 5
Boulevard De Turin, Lille, Nord
The price is P5,728 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,728
P6,671 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (987 reviews)
Great spacious room for a great price
"Great room. Very spacious. The bed for my kid was made up nicely. Two showers."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe
Hotel Lille Europe

Hotel Lille Europe

3 out of 5
Avenue Le Corbusier, Allée de Liege, Lille, Nord
The price is P3,234 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P3,234
P3,794 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Good for business trip, convenient for transport."

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2025

Hotel Lille Europe
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
All Suites Appart Hôtel | Dunkerque Centre

All Suites Appart Hôtel | Dunkerque Centre

3 out of 5
Quai Freycinet 1, avenue de l'universite, Dunkirk, Hauts-de-France
Stay at this 3-star residence in Dunkirk. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,532 reviews)
"The connected rooms our family had created a spacious suite with two bathrooms and kitchenettes. The property is relatively young comprising of linked buildings but the decking is in need of renewal. The Breakfast room was very busy and a bit too small for peak times, although we could have used ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

All Suites Appart Hôtel | Dunkerque Centre
Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe

2 out of 5
271 Avenue Willy Brandt, Lille
Stay at this aparthotel in Lille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Popular attractions Pierre Mauroy Stadium and L'Aeronef are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,119 reviews)
"Conveniently located near mall and transit. No AC unfortunately."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Séjours & Affaires Lille Europe
The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est

The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est

3 out of 5
161 Av. le Notre, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Nord
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (145 reviews)
Renard
"Très bien propre et confortable"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

The Originals Residence, Le Wax, Lille Est
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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