Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

This region in the far north of France has been a focal point of conflict for centuries, leaving a multitude of cultural remnants from various controlling powers.

In Lille and Arras, one can admire exquisite Flemish baroque architecture, while the 20th century has left behind structures such as bunkers, launch sites, memorials, and other military installations—making it a prime location for urban explorers and military historians.

The coastal areas feature picturesque towns and vibrant fishing ports. Additionally, there are notable visitor attractions, including prominent art museums, one of Europe’s largest aquariums, and even an underground town.

Let us delve into the most significant activities to pursue in Nord-Pas-de-Calais:

1. Old Lille

The capital of Nord exhibits a distinct character compared to most large French cities, attributed partly to its historical affiliations. During the medieval era, it belonged to the County of Flanders and later to Burgundy, and did not officially become part of France until the reign of Louis XIV. The Flemish influence manifests itself in the brown and red brick structures of the city’s historic center, notably at the grand Place aux Oignons.

At Grand Place, one can admire the mid-17th-century Vieille Bourse, an impressive Flemish Mannerist complex featuring 24 identical buildings arranged around an arcaded courtyard.

Within, locals engage in chess games, and a second-hand book market operates here.

2. Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille

As one of France’s largest art museums, the Palais des Beaux-Arts warrants a visit.

Its extensive collection spans medieval, renaissance, and baroque art, originating from the 1801 decree by Jean-Antoine Chaptal, which designated the 15 cities across France to receive artworks confiscated from religious institutions during the revolution.

Inside the opulent Belle Époque palace, one can find ceramics, sculptures, and paintings by renowned artists such as Goya, Rubens, Donatello, van Dyck, and El Greco.

Of particular interest is the collection of plan-reliefs, showcasing military models of cities in the region from the 17th and 18th centuries.

3. Vimy Memorial

This memorial commemorates the members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force who were lost without a grave during the First World War.

The monument is strategically located at the highest point of Vimy Ridge and was designed by Canadian architect Walter Seymour Allward.

Surrounding the monument is a park that preserves the battlefield of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in its natural state.

The landscape bears visible scars from artillery, and the trenches and tunnels have been reinforced with concrete for preservation.

Due to the presence of unexploded ordnance, park maintenance is conducted by grazing sheep rather than human efforts.

Canadian students volunteer at the Vimy Memorial, providing informative tours around the monument and its grounds.

4. La Piscine Museum, Roubaix

This art and industry museum is located in a remarkable setting—the former swimming pool designed in art deco style.

Constructed in the 1920s and 1930s by architect Albert Baert, the building features intricate masonic symbols throughout its design.

The pool was closed in 1985 and subsequently transformed into a museum in 2000, integrating the adjacent textile museum.

The galleries showcase textile samples collected from local factories over a period of two centuries, alongside paintings and sculptures predominantly from the early 20th century.

5. Nausicaä Centre National de la Mer, Boulogne-sur-Mer

This extensive aquarium, housed in a repurposed casino, opened in 1991, and serves as a marine life center with an exhibition space spanning 5,000 square meters.

Visitors are typically drawn to the displays featuring predators in the Open Sea and California Pools, where one can observe sand tiger sharks, grey reef sharks, and leopard sharks up close.

A “touch pool” is available for children, allowing them to gently engage with the backs of harmless catsharks.

Additionally, one can encounter a diverse array of marine species, including penguins, caimans, and sea lions. Daily feeding demonstrations provide an engaging glimpse of these creatures in action.

6. La Coupole, Saint-Omer

Named after the large concrete dome that covers the site, this museum is located in a former Nazi bunker and V2 rocket base.

The complex was never fully constructed but possessed the capacity to facilitate a continuous launch of ballistic missiles towards London.

After the war, the site remained dormant until its transformation into a combined war museum and planetarium during the 1990s.

Visitors enter through the bunker’s railway tunnel, where audio guides provide insights into its construction and displays focus on life in Nord-Pas-de-Calais during the war, the role of the French resistance, and the military innovations of that era.

7. Cité Souterraine de Naours

Given the region’s history of ongoing invasions, it is not surprising that residents sought refuge underground in certain areas.

The medieval tunnels and galleries at Naours span over two kilometers and could house approximately 650 individuals.

As you traverse the 28 galleries located 30 meters beneath this lush hill in the Somme department, you may be struck by the year-round temperature of a consistent 9.5°C.

Along the route, you will find wells, ventilation shafts, chimneys, living quarters, and even stables, all of which bear witness to their use in both World Wars, evidenced by historical graffiti.

8. LaM, Lille

Featuring 4,500 artworks across two elegantly designed buildings, this museum offers an impressive survey of 20th and 21st-century art.

LaM was established in the early 1980s following a significant donation from the Masurel family, known for their extensive collection.

Subsequent expansions have allowed LaM to exhibit masterpieces by Picasso, Paul Klee, Georges Braque, Joan Miró, and André Derain.

Additionally, the museum houses a substantial collection of Art Brut works, making it home to the largest assortment of outsider art in the country.

The grounds also feature a sculpture garden, showcasing works by artists such as Alexander Calder and Picasso.

9. Boulogne Ramparts

The cobblestone streets of Boulogne’s charming Haute Ville are still guarded by a ring of medieval walls constructed by the Count of Boulogne between 1227 and 1231, which were built upon even older Roman defenses.

Despite their age and remarkable condition, the ramparts and their four substantial gateways are relatively serene on most days, frequented primarily by joggers and dog-walkers.

On the eastern side lies the Château, also dating to the 13th century, secured by a moat and now hosting the Museum of Boulogne.

10. Saint-Omer Cathedral

This striking cathedral is noteworthy for its ongoing construction throughout the medieval period, resulting in a synthesis of Romanesque architecture and three phases of French Gothic style: primitive, radiant, and flamboyant. Inside, visitors can admire the astronomical clock, created by the Saint-Omer watchmaker Pierre Enguerran in 1558, which ingeniously synchronizes with the cathedral’s bells and astrolabe.

The organ, which dates back to 1717 and features 19th-century enhancements by renowned organ craftsman Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, is also a significant highlight.

11. Arras

Arras showcases an abundance of Flemish heritage, particularly evident in the stunning Place des Héros.

This cobblestoned square, covering 70 acres, is flanked by rows of exquisite gabled townhouses on three sides.

The city’s UNESCO-listed gothic belfry, dating to the 15th century, is also located in the square and deserves exploration.

Standing at 71 meters, it is the tallest structure in Arras; a combination of an elevator and a spiral staircase leads to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings.

Arras was a significant battleground during the First World War, and you can visit the tunnels excavated by British forces in 1917 at Carrière Wellington, now preserved as a museum.

12. Le Touquet

Unwind at coastal resorts such as Le Touquet, where you can indulge in one of Nord-Pas-de-Calais’ signature dishes, Moules Frites.

The mussels are prepared in a sauce consisting of white wine, cream, and shallots, while crispy chips are served with mayonnaise on the side.

Le Touquet is also home to a stunning beach characterized by its vast expanse of clean golden sands stretching towards the horizon at low tide.

As you stroll along the beach, you may encounter forests and dunes replacing the town.

Rue Saint-Jean offers a delightful street for leisurely walks, and during summer, children can enjoy activities such as segway rentals or mini-golf at the beachfront.

13. Villa Cavrois, Roubaix

After remaining in disrepair for decades, this remarkable modernist villa has recently opened to the public following extensive restoration efforts costing millions of Euros.

Constructed in 1932 by Robert Mallet-Stevens for Paul Cavrois, who amassed wealth from the Roubaix textile sector, the villa exemplifies the finest features of International style with its abundant natural light, airy spaces, and numerous modern conveniences such as air conditioning and towel heaters that were uncommon at the time.

During the war, the villa was occupied by German forces and was subsequently vandalized in the 1980s following Madame Cavrois’s death—further emphasizing the tremendous effort put into its restoration.

14. Cap Blanc Nez, Wissant

For a refreshing blast of sea air, follow the path leading to the crest of these 134-meter-high chalk cliffs.

As the northernmost cliffs in France, they are located near Cap Gris Nez, the closest point in the country to mainland Britain.

From this vantage point, you can observe the busy shipping lane of the Channel as freighters glide by.

The surrounding landscape is stunning, whether you gaze down upon the expansive sandy beach below or back towards the lush green farmland.

The headland features the Dover Patrol Monument, honoring the naval cooperation among Allied forces aimed at protecting the Channel from U-boat threats.

15. Blockhaus d’Éperlecques, Saint-Omer

This military site complements the nearby La Coupole, serving as an enormous Second World War bunker intended as an additional launch center for V2 rockets.

Had it been completed, it would have had the capability to launch 36 missiles per day, but construction was halted due to the Allied bombing campaign.

Even in its incomplete form, the bunker presents an imposing sight and remains concealed within the forest until one is nearly upon it.

An audio guide details the construction process, explaining the use of forced labor, with displays illustrating how the site might have appeared had it been operational.