Nord De Pas De Calais - Do you know any hidden gems (towns and villages) in the area?

Question

I know Boulogne sur Mer and Wimereaux well, but I would like to visit different parts of the departement. I was told that St Omer is quite interesting? Do you know any hidden gems in the area?

Answer 1

As you probably know, Lille is the major city in Nord Pas de Calais.  If you are looking for a "typical" French city to take a stroll in and look at the shops and bakeries, Lille is for you.  They have a nice fine arts museum and you can do some decent window shopping downtown which is pedestrian friendly.  Not huge like Paris, but ok.  If you have a car, you could also visit Ghent (in Belgium) which isn't too far.  You could even take a side trip (train or car) to Brugge, Belgium (full of wonderful chocolate shops and canals).

Answer 2

You could visit the coastal resorts of Le Touquet and Boulogne sur Mer as well as Coquelles where the entrance and the terminal of the "Chunnel" is located. Even if you do not plan to use the chunnel it is worth a visit : there is a panoramic tower and you can see one of those huge drilling machines. St Omer: I don't know . If you want some remembrances of World War II go to Armentieres.

Answer 3

there is a little town called Montreuil-sur-Mer about 45 mins drive from Calais.  Lovely little town that used to be a castle or something like that and it is still surrounded by the wall. The main square has nice shops and cafes and there are nice walks around the outside of the castle. Very pretty little place

Answer 4

Wissant a small fishing village about 15 miles from Wimereaux

Also the market town of Hesdin