The harsh beauty of Northern France, and in particular Nord-Pas-de-Calais, located in the historical area of French Flanders, is available only to those who are ready to put up with a rather cold humid climate (in summer the average temperature is not rises above 20 degrees) and the "modesty" of its constituent regions .It is unlikely that this part of the country can be called spoiled tourist attention .Most of the sights were destroyed during the Second World War, and the waters of the coast washed by the Channel are more suitable for windsurfers than for those wishing to soak up the beaches in the hot sun .
Nord-Pas-de-Calais is one of the three northern regions, whose territory has access to the strait. Moreover, the long coastline, with rocks and beaches with golden sand, is the dignity of this part of France that does not spoil the brightness of the colors. The Opal Coast or the Côte d'Opale is replete with well-equipped resorts, beloved by Englishmen living across the strait.
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Departments and cities of Nord-Pas-de-Calais
The region includes two departments: the Pas-de-Calais and the Nord. The administrative center of Pas-de-Calais is the city of Arras. The regional capital and the main city of the department of Nor Lille. The major ports are Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer, which is a resort in part.
Other large cities are Douai, Valenciennes, Dunkerque and Béthune.
History and culture
The history of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region dates back to the prehistoric era. Even at that time people lived on this territory who left behind themselves stone tools. Later, until the two autonomous departments were merged into one administrative unit in 1960, Nor and Pas de Calais developed separately, representing great interest for various conquerors, among whom were the Celts and Romans, and the English, and the Spaniards. Only in the 17th century these lands were finally incorporated into France.
In the Middle Ages, the department of Nores, together with most of Belgium and the "piece" of the Netherlands, was nothing more than Flanders. Today, the inhabitants of the whole region are proud of their Flemish roots, culture and even cuisine, still living in their hearts. Love manifests itself in the language spoken by the inhabitants of the southern part of Nora. The Picardie dialect of the French language called "sh 'ti" (le ch'ti) is no less interesting and curious than the examples of Flemish architecture.
How to get to Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Several international and regional airports connect Nor-Pas-de-Calais with other cities .The international airport of the city of Lille (Aéroport de Lille-Lesquin) is located 10 km from the city center .Here regular internal flights (from Bordeaux, Marseille, Lyon, Renaissance, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg and Toulouse) and international flights: from Spain, Algeria, Morocco and Portugal .Direct air communication with Russian cities from Lille is not available .The regional airport in Le Touquet (Aéroport du Touquet Côte d'Opale) is located in the southeast of Opal Coast and serves scheduled and private flights .Another regional airport of Calais-Dunkerque (Aéroport de Calais - Dunkerque) is located in the city of Marc in the department of the Pas de Calais .
Search for tickets to Paris (the nearest airport to Nor-Pas-de-Calais)
By train
Most of the TGV trains from Paris to the cities of Nord-Pas-de-Calais depart from the Nord Nord train station (Paris Nord) .The journey to the center of the department of the Pas-de-Calais of the city of Arras will take about 50 minutes .The fare for the second class from 30 .70 EUR .The road to the regional capital of Lille will take no more than an hour .The fare in the second class from 39 EUR .Also in Lille you can get from Brussels: French TGV or Eurostar trains take you here in 40 minutes .Travel time from Paris to one of the major ports of Calais takes on average about two hours (all depends on the route) .The fare for the second class is from 43 .20 EUR .There is also a railway connection with London: the train is going along the Tunnel under the English Channel .
The cost of tickets is indicated for April 2011.
By car
Lille - one of the most convenient for motorists of settlements. Many motorways converge here. In order to get to the capital, from Paris you need to go on the A1 highway, which also connects with the large city of Arras. A23 - a link between Lille and Valenciennes. A25 connects Lille, Dunkirk and Calais.
Kitchen and restaurants
Nord-Pas-de-Calais has its distinctive cuisine, many dishes from which Flemish origin. The heart of any recipes is regional products of the highest quality: a bird from Lika (volaille de Licques), potatoes from Melville (pomme de terre de Merville), Lingo du Nord (haricot lingot du Nord) and beef de Belle Bleu (boeuf de race «belle Bleue ").
The characteristic features of gastronomy: first of all, the presence of beer in many dishes. Soup with beer (soupe à la bière), cock in beer (coq à la bière), rabbit in beer with prunes (lapin à la bière et aux pruneaux), and even dessert - pancakes with beer (crêpes à la bière) - small list of "beer" delights. Another feature is the faithfulness of the recipe for centuries. Carbonade Flamande, water waves from the chicken (waterzoï de volaille), watersoo from the fish (waterzoi de poisons), potzevleesch (potjevleesch) - the heritage of the Flemish cuisine.
Dishes with seafood are also included in the menu of the residents of Nord-Pas-de-Calais: a salad of pickled herrings in cider (salade de rollmops au cidre), sea mussels (moules marinières) and much more.
Entertainment, sightseeing and attractions of Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Despite the colossal destruction that the Second World War brought with it, many Nor-Pas-de-Calais towns retained some of their sights. This is the tower of Beffroy and the town hall (beffroi et hôtel de Ville), protected by UNESCO and built in the 15th and 16th centuries, in Arras. A large square (Grande Place), from the 11th century served as a center for city trade and located in the same city. Palace Palais Rihour Old Market (vieille bourse) and Citadel (citadelle) in Lille. Abbey of Mont-Saint-Elois 10 km north-west of Arras.
The Museum of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts) in Lille is one of the first museums to open in France. His richest collection is second only to the Louvre. Work schedule: Monday - from 2 pm to 6 pm, from Wednesday to Sunday - from 10.00 to 18.00. Tuesday is a day off. Ticket price: 5.50 EUR.
The cost of tickets is indicated for April 2011. Photos Nor-Pas-de-Calais (26)