With an ancestral cultural and historical heritage, an architecture with multiple influences gleaned from the great pages of regional history, Nord-Pas de Calais abounds with attractive museums and cultural places where Entertainment, events, exhibitions, cultural tours, discovery trails and other great ideas for a memorable stay !
In addition, the release of the film Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis in 2008 contributed to enhancing the "ch'ti" culture associated with it.
Whether you are festivals, brades, carnivals, sporting or cultural gatherings, the major festivals take place throughout the year on the regional agenda. Come and discover them !
Local specialties
Ah the northern gastronomy ! Behind its apparent simplicity lies a cooking in the image of the territory : generous, varied, full of imagination and flavors. The regional products tell of the marriage of the land and the sea. They give rise to tasty specialties that share in great convivial tables. Or can be enjoyed at the tables of welcoming restaurants where you feel, too, a bit like home ...
The regional products from a rich and fertile soil breathe the conviviality and the joie de vivre of the people of the North. Beers, cheeses, fish, fruits and vegetables, sweet delicacies : Producers perpetuate a unique know-how with brilliance. A panel of flavors to find with greed on the tables of the restaurants and in the paths of markets colorful and typical ...
The maroilles is a cheese of character, the only AOC of the Nord-Pas de Calais region. Produced in Thiérache, it is part of soft cheeses and washed rind. Some cheese dairies allow to discover its manufacture, often artisanal, based on raw cow's milk. Its powerful taste in the mouth softens when cooked, in flamiche for example. Let's go to the discovery of the finest of the strong cheeses.
The breweries are in Nord-Pas de Calais what the vineyards are in the Bordelais : a traditional economic activity become tourist. In Flanders, Artois or Avesnois, you can discover the secrets of making brewers, before enjoying a good beer on the spot or in the many estaminets of the region. And L'Echappée Bière takes you on the trail of this "liquid gold", which symbolizes the generosity and conviviality of Nord-Pas de Calais.
Whether black, milk, white, tablet or pastry, no one disagrees, the chocolate is eaten at every moment ! The chocolatiers of the Nord-Pas de Calais rival imagination for the greatest pleasure of the gourmands adapting it to the specialties of the North; The recipes are varied (do not forget to taste the "Finger of Jean Bart"). It is also lent many virtues (anti-stress, antioxidant ...). A salon was even dedicated to Lille at the beginning of the year. Spread the word !
It is found liquid, in grain, in powder ... it is chicory. It grows mostly in the Nord-Pas de Calais and is used for its root. Very often invited in the kitchen to perfume a recipe, it also has medicinal virtues. It served particularly during global conflicts as a substitute for coffee. Besides, even today, it is tradition to put some grains in his coffee. In Orchies, discover the Leroux House which houses the Museum of chicory.
The Beauté of Cambrai celebrates this year its 185 years ! Almost two centuries where young and old can revel in this delicacy that is born of a manufacturing error. Apple, violet or traditional mint, these unparalleled flavors will delight your taste buds. Taste these sweet delights, surely you will come back !
Want recipes ? It is here that it happens: http://urlz.fr/4DV9
Major events and venues
What events in Nord-Pas de Calais ! Whether you are festivals, brades, carnivals, sporting or cultural gatherings, the major festivals take place throughout the year on the regional agenda. If you are wondering what to do first in the north, discover our tempting suggestion of great unavoidable events.
Farewell holidays ! For young and old the comeback promises like every year full of rejoicing with "La braderie de Lille" the 1st weekend of September. Professionals and lovers of secondhand, garage sale invest thousands of streets and attract about 2 million people from Saturday 12 pm to Sunday 11 pm non-stop. Champion of China, brade converted or simple walker, prepare to live 36 intense hours of conviviality and bargains.
Since 1984, the Race of heaps attracts amateurs and confirmed athletes of all ages. At the end of September, over two days, 5000 runners stormed the heaps, crawling in the woods when they did not venture squarely into marshland. The event allows to discover the unsuspected riches of one of the most preserved territories of France. For this 2016 edition, the races will take place on 24 and 25 September next.
For more than 25 years, the International Meeting of Kites (RICV) has been held every year in Berck-sur-Mer. Over the years, these IVICs, which will take place from April 1 to 9, 2017, have become an unmissable event on the Côte d'Opale. In the spring, for 10 days, fans of wind and sea, sports enthusiasts or even enthusiasts of sensations will be able to admire many giant kites all more unusual than the others.
Borrowing the famous cobblestones of the Nord-Pas de Calais, the Paris-Roubaix is one of the most beautiful bike races in the world. It is also a great popular festival that attracts spectators from around the world every year throughout its journey. The arena of Arenberg, the crossroads of the Tree, the Velodrome of Roubaix ... so many emblematic sites that have entered the legend of the race.
Vauban on a pedestal! His work "the Citadel of Arras" is crowned with success. Initially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2008), in 2010 it becomes one of the most popular open-air concert venues in France with its Festival Main Square. The good-natured atmosphere shakes the crowd, too happy to follow for 3 days, the show of these stars coming from the 4 corners of the world. An organization at the height of the programming, trains, bus and shuttles abound, camping, buffets etc ...
Without forgetting the Carnival of Dunkerque whose reputation is more to do ! Come to meet the Dunkerquois and enjoy an unusual atmosphere during the carnival season which runs from January to March.
