Hauts-de-France

The Hauts-de-France region is often misunderstood. A victim of stereotypes about the North, it’s full of surprises and discoveries. So let’s get started on the 10th leg of this regiontrip without further ado!

If you love nature, then you’ve come to the right place! 😉 The Baie de Sommes is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It is particularly protective of the ecosystem and home to many species of animals. And if you take the time to stroll through the Parc du Merquenterre, you’ll discover many different species of birds. In particular, migratory birds that you don’t see everywhere. If you’re more of a seafarer, take a stroll along the Pointe du Hourdel, where you’re sure to see some seals!

In the same spirit, but offering a different landscape, we think of the Opal Coast. It’s home to many tourist towns, including Boulogne sur Mer, but that’s not all. There’s incredible scenery, fine sandy beaches and the breathtaking Caps Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez! This is the place for water sports enthusiasts and hikers alike!

And to keep with the water sports theme, here are a few good places to go and enjoy them! Kitesurfing in Wimereux, water-skiing and jet-skiing in Amiens. Or kayak or canoe at the Saint-Laurent-Blangy nautical base.

The Hauts-de-France region has a long and distinguished history. It contains the history of France in different eras. Numerous museums and memorial sites can be found throughout the region. Among the best-known is L’anneau de la mémoire. It was built in 2014. Inscribed on it are the names of the 580,000 soldiers who fell on the battlefield in the Nord Pas de Calais region. The structure’s originality lies in its shape. It is suspended in mid-air, cantilevered over a hill.

Then you can visit the Louvres-Lens museum. It has a strong symbolic value, representing the post-industrial conversion of the Hauts-de-France region. Where it was built on a former coal mine, that’s where the symbolism lies. It’s a wonderful cultural discovery for all ages.

To continue the region’s industrial heritage, you can also visit La fosse n°9-9 bis. Located in Oignies, it includes the pit, the De Clercq garden city and the 110 slag heap. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a good way for new generations to discover a relic of bygone days, when today we’re in the age of a particularly modern and connected world.

And that’s the end of this historic tour of the region, with the Caverne du dragon. This is one of the most striking museums of the Second World War. What’s more, it’s underground, under the Chemin des Dames in the Aisne. You’ll need 1h30 to visit it, and a coat! It’s pretty cold underground.

Our tour starts with Amiens Notre-Dame Cathedral, a must-see. If you’re ever in the Hauts de France region, you’ve got to see Amiens and its nationally renowned cathedral. To continue with the region’s major cities, we stop off in Lille. It’s the capital of Hauts-de-France. Here’s a personal recommendation: get lost in Old Lille. It’s a district full of history, narrow streets and small shops. It’s a great way to discover the city. And don’t forget to stop off at La Grande Place or the Hospice Comtesse.

We then move on from towns to villages with two must-sees. First, the village of Gerberoy. It’s considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. What makes it so special? Its hundreds of rosebushes! It’s original and atypical, which is why we love it! The second village we’re thinking of is a classic, a benchmark. We’re talking about Maroilles, of course! Particularly famous for its cheese! You’ll be able to visit a cheese dairy or sample some typical dishes! And if you really love the smell – we won’t judge! 😉 you can even take one (or more) home with you!

To close this paragraph rich in culture, we’d like to tell you about two particularly famous estates in the region. The Domaine de Compiègne and the famous Domaine de Chantilly. Let’s discover the first. Compiègne is a city rich in monuments, historical sites and tourist attractions! The Château de Compiègne must be on your list when you visit the region. For history buffs, it’s the home of Clovis and Napoleon III. It’s no mean feat! And now for the one that’s been famous through the ages, notably for its whipped cream, of which we have to admit we’re crazy about… the Chantilly estate. But it’s not just its whipped cream that the estate is famous for. It’s also famous for its horse races, notably the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane. And, of course, its fully restored château is one of the region’s jewels. You can visit it between a whipped cream tasting and a horse race. 😉.

A lot of culture, history and memories are condensed in this region, but there’s more to Hauts-de-France than that. It’s also home to some particularly famous carnivals. Dunkirk Carnival comes to mind. Crowds of local residents always gather behind the Tambour-Major brass band for Mardi Gras. In Bailleul, too, there’s a spectacular carnival known for its huge floats.

It’s also a culinary repertoire that can make many envious. Enjoy moules-frites during the Lille braderie. ficelle picarde, Picardy’s signature dish. La carbonade, Les bêtises de Cambrai and the list could go on and on. As you can see, if you want to eat well, the Hauts-de-France region is the place to go. 😉.

And there are plenty of interesting family activities for young and old alike. The Nausicaa site in Boulogne sur Mer will plunge you into the heart of marine life. It’s the biggest aquarium in Europe, and it’s particularly well designed. Thanks to its marine life awareness program, you can learn while having fun!

We’re leaving Hauts-de-France with our eyes, our stomachs (😉) and a head full of memories. We hope this article has helped you discover the richness of this beautiful region. Until we meet again next week in another region of France, don’t forget to update Your booklet. It’s your vision of your region 😊!