Hauts-de-France

The Hauts-de-France region is often overlooked. A victim of the stereotypes attached to the North, it holds plenty of surprises and discoveries in store. So let's set off on the 10th stop of this regional road trip without further ado!

A region surrounded by nature:

If you love nature, then you're in the right region! The Bay of the Somme is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It offers exceptional protection to the local ecosystem and shelters a great many animal species. And if you take the time to wander through the Marquenterre park, you'll come across an enormous variety of bird species, including migratory birds you won't see just anywhere. If marine animals are more your thing, head off for a stroll along the Pointe du Hourdel, where you're almost certain to spot seals! In the same spirit but with a different landscape, there's the Côte d'Opale. Plenty of tourist towns line the coast, such as Boulogne-sur-Mer, but that's not all. The scenery is incredible, with fine sandy beaches, and the Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez headlands are simply breathtaking! For anyone keen on water sports or hiking, this is the place to be! And staying with water sports, here are a few local recommendations to make the most of them: kitesurfing at Wimereux, water skiing and jet-skiing at Amiens. Or kayaking and canoeing at the Saint-Laurent-Blangy water sports centre.

Its history:

The Hauts-de-France region has a striking and significant historical past. It holds the story of France across different eras. Museums and memorial sites can be found throughout the region. Among the best known is the Ring of Remembrance, built in 2014. Inscribed on it are the names of the 580,000 soldiers who fell on the battlefields of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The structure owes its originality to its shape: it hangs over the void, cantilevered out from a hillside. Next, you can visit the Louvre-Lens museum. It carries a powerful symbolism, representing the post-industrial reinvention of the Hauts-de-France: it was built on a former coal mine, and therein lies the whole meaning. It's a wonderful cultural discovery for all ages. Continuing with the region's industrial heritage, you can also visit Pit No. 9-9 bis. Located in Oignies, the site brings together the pit, the De Clercq garden village and slag heap 110. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. For younger generations it's a great way to discover a relic of times past, at a moment when we live in a strikingly modern, connected world. And here's the end of our historical tour of the region, with the Caverne du Dragon. It's one of the most powerful museums devoted to the Second World War. What's more, it's underground, sitting beneath the Chemin des Dames, in the Aisne. Allow an hour and a half for the visit, and bring a coat! It's rather cold down there.

Its places of interest:

Our tour begins with Notre-Dame d'Amiens Cathedral, an absolute must. If you're passing through the Hauts-de-France, you have to see Amiens and its nationally renowned cathedral. Staying with the region's major cities, our next stop is Lille, the capital of the Hauts-de-France. A little personal recommendation: go and lose yourself in old Lille. It's a district full of history, narrow lanes and small independent shops. A very pleasant walk for getting to know the city. And along the way, take the chance to stop at the Grand Place or the Hospice Comtesse. We then move from cities to villages, with two you simply can't miss. The village of Gerberoy first of all. It's considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. What makes it so special? Its hundreds of rose bushes! It's original and unusual, which is exactly why we love it! The second village that comes to mind is a classic, a benchmark. We're talking about Maroilles, of course! Especially famous for its cheese! You can visit a cheese dairy or taste some traditional dishes. And if you're truly in love with the smell, we won't judge you: you can even take one home (or several)! To round off this culture-packed section, let's talk about two particularly renowned estates in the region: the Compiègne estate and the famous Chantilly estate. Let's start with the first. Compiègne is a town rich in monuments and historic, tourist-friendly sites. The Château de Compiègne should certainly be on your list when visiting the region. History enthusiasts will discover the residence of Clovis and Napoleon III. No small thing! And now for the estate that has been famous through the ages, known above all for its whipped cream, which we'll admit we adore: the Chantilly estate. But whipped cream isn't the only reason for the estate's reputation. It's also very well known for its horse races, notably the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane. And of course its château, fully restored, is a jewel of the region. You can visit it between a whipped cream tasting and a horse race.

Its personal touch:

A great deal of culture, history and remembrance is packed into this region, but the Hauts-de-France is about more than that. It's also home to some particularly famous carnivals. Take the Dunkirk carnival, for example. Crowds of locals always gather behind the Tambour-Major's brass band for Shrove Tuesday. Bailleul also hosts a spectacular carnival, fairly well known for its enormous floats. It's also a culinary repertoire that could make many a region jealous. Moules-frites, to be enjoyed during the Lille braderie. La ficelle picarde, the emblematic dish of Picardy. La carbonade, les bêtises de Cambrai, and the list could go on and on. You'll have gathered by now that if you want to eat well, the Hauts-de-France is where you need to be. And there are also plenty of family activities to keep young and old happy. Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer will plunge you into the heart of marine life. It's the largest aquarium in Europe and it's exceptionally well designed. Thanks to its marine awareness programme, you learn while having fun! We leave the Hauts-de-France with our eyes, our stomachs and our heads full of memories. We hope you enjoyed this article and that it revealed the richness of this beautiful region. Until we meet again next week in another French region, don't forget to update your welcome book. It's your own take on your region!