Nord-Pas-de-Calais is one of the 22 regions of France, consisting of the two departments Nord and Pas-de-Calais. The area is located in the far north-east of the country, on the English Channel and bordering Belgium. The Channel Tunnel arrives in France in this region and it is home to the ferry port of Calais, as well as the historic towns of Boulogne, Arras and Dunkirk.
There are three main ferry ports in Nord-Pas-de-Calais that British visitors can arrive into; Calais, Boulogne and Dunkirk. Each town has something to offer tourists if you're not in a hurry to get to your next destination. Most people drive straight through Calais, but it is actually a pretty and historic town away from the port area. The early twentieth century town hall is open daily to visitors and the beaches are popular with locals in the summer. Boulogne is home to Nausica, a large aquarium and centre dedicated to sea life. Not only can you marvel at some of the underwater life there, but you can also experience for yourself what it's like to work on a fishing trawler or learn about marine conservation. Dunkirk is perhaps the most famous of the ferry ports, thanks to World War II. There are wide sandy beaches, which you can visit and imagine the scene during the evacuation of the Allied troops, or just lie back and enjoy the sun.
Two of the most famous towns in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais are Arras and Le Touquet, for very different reasons. Le Touquet is the traditional summer destination for Parisians looking to escape the city and was once a very luxurious and expensive resort. The town is still full of villas and apartment buildings dating from the 1920s and 1930s as well as beautiful beaches for the modern tourist to enjoy. There are numerous events during the summer month, such as sand sculpture competitions, kite flying events and even a motorbike race on the sands. The city of Arras is older than Le Touquet, having been an important urban centre in France for hundreds of years. There are two large squares in the town, with pavement cafes in the summer, and an 11th century cathedral with beautiful carvings and works of art. During World War I, there were a number of battles near Arras and there are many tours organised from the town that can take you to visit the sites made famous by history.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Nord pas de Calais? Then below is a selection of gites in Nord pas de Calais and villas in Nord pas de Calais that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
