Nord-Pas-de-Calais Hotels France

Nord-Pas-de-Calais Nord-Pas-de-Calais is the most northern of France’s 26 regions. It lies directly south of England and is bordered by the North Sea to the north and northwest, Belgium to the northeast and Picardy to the south. Its capital and largest city is Lille, and the second largest city is Calais, which is a major transportation hub with Dover in Great Britain, 26 miles away. Other major towns are Valenciennes, Lens, Dunkirk, Boulogne, Arras and Saint-Omer among others. The chalk lands of northern France and southern England used to be contiguous before the last ice-age, though the English Channel now separates them and cuts through the Straits of Dover, only 19 mile aart at this point.

In the north of Nord-Pas-de-Calais the region is dominated by flat lowlands, much of which is below sea level. To the south the small hills of Avesnois and Cambrais cross the region from southeast to northwest. There are many rivers in the region which are all navigable, and some interconnected by networks of canals.

It is a densely populated region – over 85% of the population is urban but the rural areas are also densely populated. This most northern region of France offers much for the visitor: plenty to do and a wonderful coastline rich in birdlife as well as an excellent cuisine. Lille itself has a good nightlife, shops and restaurants, and a cosmopolitan ambience.

Calais is the shoppers’ paradise: the Cite Europe shopping centre near the Channel Tunnel has inexpensive wine cheeses and other French produce. The windswept coastline at Cote d’Opale is great for hiking with views of the Channel and the white Cliffs of Dover. Le Touquet is the place where wealthy Parisians visit the racecourse and casino – and there is also yachting and golf.