| Nord-Pas de Calais | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | France |
|---|---|
| Capital | Lilac |
| Surface | 12,414 km² |
| Inhabitants | 4.033.197 (2009) |
| Tourism site | |
| Institutional website | |
Nord-Pas de Calais (Nord-Pas-de-Calais, in Picardy Nord-Pas-d'Caleus, in DutchNoord-Nauw van Calais) sometimes called simply North, is one of the regions of the France.
To know
Geographical notes
The territory of the region borders on that of the Picardy to the south and with the Belgium (Flanders to the north and Wallonia to the northeast). It is bathed by the English Channel to the west and the North Sea to the northwest. The region is connected with the Great Britain (England) through the Eurotunnel.
Culture and traditions
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region was the real protagonist of the film Down to the North which was a resounding success in France and also in other parts of Europe. In particular the film was mostly shot in the city of Bergues and makes fun of the area's colorful language and the clichés that unfairly refer to it.
Territories and tourist destinations
It is made up of 2 departments:
Urban centers
- Lilac (Lille) - Regional capital.
- Armentières
- Arras - Capital of the department of the Pas de Calais.
- Berck (Berck-sur-Mer) - Small commune located in the Pas de Calais department.
- Boulogne-sur-Mer
- Béthune - Municipality in the department of the Pas de Calais.
- Calais - City in the north of France.
- You will change - Capital of the Cambrésis region.
- Douai - Municipality located in the North Department.
- Dunkirk - Port city 10 km from the Belgian border.
- Lens - Municipality in the department of the Pas de Calais.
- Lewarde - Municipality famous for its coal mines now abandoned and transformed into a museum.
- Roubaix - French commune of 95,813 inhabitants located in the Nord department.
- Saint-Amand-les-Eaux - Small commune located in the North department.
- Saint-Omer - The historic center contains some valuable buildings in the Flemish-Gothic style.
- Tourcoing - One of the main cities of the urban agglomeration of Lille, on the border with Belgium.
- Valenciennes - It is crossed by the Schelda at its confluence with the Rhonelle.
How to get
On the train
There are trains connecting Lilac to Paris is Brussels.
How to get around
What see
What to do
At the table
One of the typical French snacks are le escargots (snails) that every visitor should try at least once.
Drinks
Unlike most of France, this region is more famous for its beer than its wine. A local beer is there Bière de garde.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Nord-Pas de Calais
Commons contains images or other files on Nord-Pas de Calais
