Nord-Pas-de-Calais Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Arras showing heritage elements, night scenes and street scenes
Arras featuring heritage elements and street scenes as well as an individual female
Place des Heros featuring outdoor eating, night scenes and street scenes
Notre Dame Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, interior views and religious elements
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

4/5(30 area reviews)

Art galleries, museums and historical 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

4.5/5(15 area reviews)

Shopping, historical sites and restaurants are some highlights of Old Lille. Make a stop by Lille Cathedral or Le Musée de la Maison Natale de Charles de Gaulle while you're exploring.

Old Lille
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Historic Center

4.5/5(79 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Rihour Square and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Historic Center. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Rihour Station or Republique Beaux Arts Station.

Historic Center
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Le Marais

While Le Marais isn't home to many top sights, Zoo Lille and Citadel of Lille are some notable places to visit nearby.

Le Marais
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Lomme

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Lomme. Top attractions like Lomme Urban Park and Planet Bowling are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bourg Station or Maison des Enfants Station to see more of the city.

Lomme
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Calais City Center

4/5(64 area reviews)

The ample dining options and captivating 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
Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

Novotel Suites Gare Lille Europe

4 out of 5
Boulevard De Turin, Lille, Nord
The price is ₹8,074 per night from 24 Jul to 25 Jul
₹8,074
₹9,436 total
24 Jul - 25 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Lille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (990 reviews)
"Great place to stay, Also location wise is excellent."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 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 ₹5,575 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
₹5,575
₹6,490 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Good for business trip, convenient for transport."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Hotel Lille Europe
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
The price is ₹6,938 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹6,938
₹7,989 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star residence in Dunkirk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,518 reviews)
Awsome location and big room.
"Lovely big room cooking facility and fridge, easy access to town 11 min walk short cycle to ferry."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

All Suites Appart Hôtel | Dunkerque Centre
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,518 reviews)
Awsome location and big room.
"Lovely big room cooking facility and fridge, easy access to town 11 min walk short cycle to ferry."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Pierre Mauroy Stadium and L'Aeronef are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,118 reviews)
"Conveniently located near mall and transit. No AC unfortunately."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (143 reviews)
Renard
"Très bien propre et confortable"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 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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