France > France travel > Calais, Lorraine, Picardy
Northern France, France tourist information
This part of the France travel guide covers three 'regions' of France: Lorraine, Picardy and Calais. These regions all fall on the northern coast and north-eastern borders of France and are often passed on the way to sunnier, more glamorous parts of France.
But take a moment to slow down! The regions contain some interesting sights and towns.
The highlights include resorts, such as Le Touquet and Boulogne-sur-Mer, and the battlefields and cemeteries of the First World War.
Calais Travel guide
Places to visit in Calais and northern France
A handful of seaside resorts are found in the Calais (Nord-pas-de-Calais) region, including Le Touquet and Boulogne-sur-Mer. These are equally popular with Parisians, shoppers on a day trip to France from the UK, and holidaymakers from the UK.
Other seaside resorts on this stretch of coast include Berck-Plage, Gravelines, Hardelot, Wimereux and Wissant.
There is another significant large attraction in Calais - the battlefields and cemeteries of the WWI battles (and also earlier medieval battlefields). Between Amiens and Lille, the Somme battlefields are still a major pilgrimage destination, and some of the Somme trenches are kept intact to help the visitor better understand the battles and conditions that were faced.
Likewise, Dunkerque is at the northern edge of the region - the site of the largest ever sea evacuation, of the Allied armies in May-June 1940, and the first ever tank battle (WW1) took place at Cambrai
The great battles of Agincourt and Crecy took place near the pretty town of Hesdin. (See Hundred Years War)
Some of the beaches of the region, especially those south of Boulogne are attractive.
Arras is one of the most interesting towns in the region
Picardy travel guide
Picardy is a large flat area of open fields, with a fame arising from the WWI Battle of the Somme in the north of the region.
The south of Picardy is a scenic region of hills and forests.
- The cathedrals at Amiens and Laon are perhaps two of the best to be found in France.
- The bird sanctuary at Marquenterre, on the coast south of Le Touquet
- the coastal 'grand randonnee' (GR) path is a good way to see the wild beaches and coastline of the region
- Beauvais is a large town in Picardy, between Paris and Amiens.
General
Most beautiful villages not covered in this guide:
PARFONDEVAL - 20 km SE of Vervins
GERBEROY - 20 km NW of Beauvais
Lorraine travel guide
Lorraine is a 'frontier department' in north-east France that shares borders with three European countries - Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The department has the unenviable distinction of being the main invasion route for France, and many a hostile invasion has crossed the region in the last 1200 years.
Places to visit in Lorraine
It is true to say that Lorraine is not at the top of the list of French tourist destinations.
- Verdun, in the north of the region, was the scene of one of the most terrible battles in the history of war, from 1916-1918 and perhaps 750,000 dead. Even now, 90 years later, many people like to visit this solemn place
- Nancy, on the banks of the Meurthe, is a pleasant, attractive 18th century town.
Most beautiful villages not covered in this guide:
RODEMACK - 15 km NE of Thionville
SAINT-QUIRIN - 50 km W of Strasbourg
General northern France information
Some of the UNESCO listed belfries of France are found in Picardy and northern France
Guest article: Christmas shopping in northern France: Christmas shopping in French markets
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Map of north of France |
