Travel guide Hauts-De-France

"Le Nord marin et gourmand !"
Organize your trip with our partners dans les Hauts-de-France
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Discover the bike tours dans les Hauts-de-France

Travel dans les Hauts-de-France

Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks dans les Hauts-de-France

Of course, there are as many wonders to discover in the Hauts-de-France as there are ideas for stays that might make you want to visit our beautiful region! With its 31,806square metres and five departments (Aisne, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Oise), you can find something to suit you for a few hours, a few days or even a few weeks, whether in the city, in the countryside or by the sea. So, for this selection, we have chosen to highlight some of the aspects of the region that are sometimes overlooked or even ignored. Stays that are accessible to families, friends, or solo travellers. From the cultural escapades in the castles of the Oise to the most beautiful hikes on the Opal Coast, not forgetting the vineyards of the Aisne and their tourist circuit of the Picardy champagne route, find ideas for stays to enjoy the region. Enjoy your visit and "welcome to the Ch'tis"!

Services

Find a hotel with Booking.com

Find a hotel with Booking.com

Rent a car with Bsp-auto

Rent a car with Bsp-auto

Create a blog and travel journal

Create a blog and travel journal

Book your activity with Get Your Guide

Book your activity with Get Your Guide

Find unique holiday offers with our partners

Discover les Hauts-de-France

The north of the country is full of surprises! You have, in the trees, huts to lodge and accrobranches for thrills. You can visit the workshop of a wooden toy maker and meet a camel driver and his camels for an unusual caravan, discover the country of Maroilles cheese and Chimey beer in a 2CV. But also visit a fairy garden, a sculpture garden, the confectionery house and the small waffle museum in a house where waffles are made with vergoise, chicory, violet and even Wambrechies whisky! Another thing? L'arbre à poule, an eco-place in the Oise, the Frontinelles boat elevator on the Neuffossé canal (Arques), the Maison des phares in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, the Hortillonnages museum (Rivery). Finally, you can sleep in a hobbit village (Somme) among other unusual accommodations in Hauts-de-France.

The 12 keywords dans les Hauts-de-France

# Art deco

You can admire a large number of Art Deco buildings in the Hauts-de-France. After the First World War, several hundred towns in the region were partly destroyed. During the reconstruction, some architects chose Art Deco for their buildings. To do each year: the Spring of Art Deco.

# French fries bar

The "baraque à frites" is a symbol here! In the north of France, you'll find a large number of barracks (or mobile caravans) selling French fries, fricadelle, sausages, merguez... All in very generous portions, and at economical prices. Very popular, the baraques à frites attract customers from all social classes.

Beffroi de Douai © Pascal06 - stock.adobe.com.jpg

# Belfry

A symbol of the autonomy of towns in the Middle Ages, the belfry is also a symbol of the region. There are almost thirty belfries in the Hauts-de-France. Among the most famous, the belfry of the city of Lille is the highest in northern Europe and the belfry of Douai is famous for its famous carillon, but all are worth seeing.

# Champagne

Did you know? Southern Aisne alone accounts for 10% of AOP Champagne production. Between the charming villages of the Marne and the vast vineyards, the Picardy Champagne route invites you on a journey rich in cultural and tourist discoveries. On the program: refined tastings and cellar tours to discover the secrets.

iStock-1002966418.jpg

# Horse

Horses play an important role, particularly in the Somme and Oise regions. In the Somme, one thinks of the Henson horse, also known as the "petit cheval de la baie de Somme", born in the region. In the Oise region, the Grandes Écuries de Chantilly and the Musée du Cheval are particularly popular. Horseback riding is also available.

# Estaminet

If you are looking for a place to enjoy local specialties in generous portions, trust the estaminets! Originating in Belgium, the estaminet is now a symbol of the region and there are several hundred of them. In addition to eating local dishes, you will appreciate the old-fashioned decoration, with old objects placed here and there.

shutterstock_396468562.jpg

# Giant

In the north of France and Belgium, you can still come across giants! They are life-size costumes of men and women, which are worn and shown during traditional processions or for example during the Giant Festival. Among the most famous giants, the one of Mr and Mrs Gayant and Binbin of Douai.

shutterstock_788280586.jpg

# Hops

The Hauts-de-France region ranks as the second largest producer of hops in the country and accounts for 30% of national production. Sharing its border with Belgium, there are many local beers and breweries to visit in the north to satisfy your thirst for discovery, of course! To be consumed in moderation.

# Maroilles

Probably the most famous of our cheeses, and one of the best-smelling (at least when it's not yet cooked). Rest assured, contrary to legend, not everyone eats maroilles for breakfast. As a tart, maroilles is a delight. You can buy it from any good cheese-maker in the Nord and Thiérache regions, or even in hypermarkets.

# Memory

The Hauts-de-France is the second most popular region for remembrance tourism and is full of testimonies to the past and places that commemorate conflicts and their victims. The Canadian memorial at Vimy, but also the Wellington quarry, the Chemin des Dames... A nice way to remember the past and those who fought for us.

# Editing

The word "réderie" is the Picardy equivalent of "braderie" and refers to the passion for collecting things. The term is often used in the Somme to designate village garage sales. In Amiens, twice a year in spring and autumn, the grande réderie d'Amiens is the biggest after the grande braderie in Lille.

# Terril

In the North, we don't have mountains, we have slag heaps! These hills were formed from mining residues during the development of the mines in the north of France. Today, the slag heaps are a mecca for biological diversity of flora and fauna, but they are also popular for hiking and cycling.

You are from here, if...

You arrange to meet your colleagues or friends for lunch "between lunchtimes"

When you go to the fry stand with a friend, you ask for a "small fry", knowing that you might have enough for a third person.

You don't know what's in the fricadelle, but you eat it anyway (or you already have). And what's more, you love it.

When you go to another region, you're surprised not to find so many beers. In fact, it's not uncommon to be asked to bring some home with you.

By February , you're not surprised to find photos of your male contacts dressed up as women for Carnival.

You know there's nothing worse than being in Lille for the braderie de Lille. But you still like to enjoy it in small doses, at the beginning or end of the day.

You know what people mean when they say "wassingue" (mop) or "drache" (rain).

Send a reply