last edited Aug 12, 2020
Things to Do in Hauts-de-France
Travel Themes
- Interests (out of ): Nature / ; Culture ; Relaxation-holidays
Nature-Adventure
Culture
Relaxation-Holidays
By Department
| Nature | Culture | Relaxation-Holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aisne | / | ||
| Nord | / | ||
| Oise | / | / | |
| Pas-de-Calais | |||
| Somme |
By Department
Highlights and special features of the region’s departments.
Aisne
Not very touristy, the department nonetheless offers several abbeys and religious buildings, a few old castles, and towns like Saint-Quentin and Soissons that are worth a short visit. Like the other departments in the region, Aisne was also the site of major battles during World War I, as evidenced by the Chemin des Dames.
Nord
Quite logically, the best-known place in the department remains the city of Lille, with its monuments, museums, and lively atmosphere that now extends to neighboring towns (Roubaix, Tourcoing...). Less mainstream, you can also discover several of the "fortified towns of Nord-Pas-de-Calais" (Avesnes, Gravelines...), the region’s typical and often UNESCO-listed belfries, and traces of its mining past. As for the natural heritage of Nord, head to the coast for its dunes and long beaches.
Oise
Traditionally more oriented toward nearby Paris than its administrative region(s), Oise is primarily a land of cultural discovery. While the department boasts vast forests (Compiègne, Chantilly...) and, in a different vein, the Parc Astérix, its main tourist appeal lies in its abbeys and other religious buildings, as well as its castles from different eras, the most famous—and remarkable—being that of Chantilly.
Pas-de-Calais
Often seen as just a "pass-through zone" between Amiens and Lille, Pas-de-Calais still deserves a stop for its historical heritage, bearing witness to both the era of Vauban (Arras, Montreuil) and the world wars (Arras, Vimy...). That said, it’s mainly its coastline that draws the most visitors, with the Opal Coast, a renowned resort like Le Touquet, and of course the stunning landscapes of the Capes Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez, as well as the Authie Bay.
Somme
Perhaps the most well-rounded department in northern France in terms of tourism. Nature takes center stage here, with the cliffs of the western Picardy coast, the vast beaches of the resorts at Quend/Fort-Mahon Beach, and especially the Bay of Somme, unique in its landscapes and rich environment. At the same time, Somme also boasts a strong historical heritage, with the city of Amiens, various remnants of the past (Samara, Rambures, Valloires...), and above all, numerous sites and memorials commemorating World War I, such as the "Remembrance Trail", Thiepval, or the Great War Museum.
Beaches and Seaside Resorts
Water Activities
Diving:
Water Sports:
Sailing: