Nord Pas de Calais is, as its name suggests, in the far north of France on the border with Belgium. Calais is the nearest point to England and has long been an important portal for visitors, but most tourists rush through this area of France to reach their final destination. However the small region of the Nord Pas de Calais has many beautiful areas. With clean beaches, scenic countryside and pleasant river valleys, gites in Nord Pas de Calais make the ideal self-catering base for a go-as-you-please holiday.
The area remains unspoilt with many regional natural parks. There are miles of waterways for river cruising and rolling hills dotted with windmills. The scenery is timeless, a window on the past with war monuments, museums and cities dating back to Roman times telling its long history.
Along the 145km of coastline are three major port cities: Calais, Boulogne and Dunkerque which are all well worth visiting, along with Lille which has beautifully restored architecture along the Vieille Bourse.
There is no need to be bored in the Nord Pas de Calais. The Channel provides excellent line fishing or take a fishing charter. The beaches are also ideal for sand-yachting, speed sailing, horse-riding and kite flying. Inland, the countryside is ideal for walking and cycling and the area is known for its fine golf courses. The landscape has been a source of inspiration for artists for years.
You are never more than 200km from anywhere with a self catering gite in the Nord Pas de Calais. Seaside resorts include Le Touquet and Boulogne, which has an impressive cathedral, 13th century ramparts and Napoleon’s grand Imperial Palace.
Further inland, Montreux is a hidden gem of charming cottages along Rue Clape-en-Bas in sharp contrast to the vibrant city of Lille. Between Amiens and Lille lie the Somme battlefields with many thought-provoking memorials, graveyards and trenches where thousands of visitors still come to pay their respects.
Discover mouth-watering regional cuisine from your self-catering villa in the Nord Pas de Calais. Flamiche is a tasty tart made with leeks and cheese; eels (anguilles) are popular cooked with spinach and andoullettes are small tasty sausages. There are numerous locally brewed beers too, no doubt a Belgian influence.
The climate is similar to the southeast of England with mild winters and warm showery summers. The best months to visit are from May to October, and in December for shopping at the atmospheric Christmas markets.
Self catering villas in the Nord Pas de Calais are very easy to reach from the UK via the Eurotunnel or by ferry. The Eurostar trains are very speedy and efficient between London St Pancras and Lille.
There are also regular flights to Lille with a shuttle service between the airport and Lille train station, which has excellent TGV rail connections to other major cities.