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As the closest French region to the UK, renting a gite in this historic coastal region is conveniently close, yet steeped in so much history you'll feel as if you've stepped further than simply across the Channel.
Pas-de-Calais's bustling capital, Lille, offers extensive shopping and interesting museums and monuments. It's easy to see why so many families rent holiday cottages in this fascinating region, with the endless activities on offer ranging from horse-riding, cycling and donkey-trekking, to sand-yachting on the long sandy beaches.

Things to see and do in Pas-de-Calais

Step out of your French holiday gite to discover this historic coastal province…

  • The Côte d'Opale: Spend lazy days on dune-backed beaches in traditional holiday towns, including Le Touquet, Merlimont and Wimereux.
  • Lille Palais des Beaux Arts: One of the largest museums in France and the largest French museum outside Paris, the Lille Palace of fine arts exhibits the sculptures, paintings, drawings, ceramics and so on of artists such as Raphael, Donatello, Rubens and Rodin.
  • Arras' underground tunnels: At 22kms long, the Boves were fitted during the First World War and were used by British soldiers to hide in, to defeat the Germans by surprise. Today you can explore the underground passages, which were originally connected to water pipes - serving kitchens and washbasins - and electricity.

Tastes of Pas-de-Calais

  • Carbonade à la flamande: Enjoy this rich Flemish stew made with charcoal-grilled beef, cooked with onions in beer.
  • Cheese: Maroilles, Boulette d'Avesnes and Bergues are all cows' milk cheeses.

Don't miss...

  • Stock-up on Champagne but don't forget excellent Flemish ales. Cité Europe on the outskirts of Calais has hypermarkets, speciality shops and designer outlets all under one roof.

Our regional team recommends

  • Restored to its pre-war glory, Arras is an attractive town with wonderful Flemish architecture around the Grand Place and Place des Héros.
  • The bustling port of Boulogne boasts excellent fish restaurants and a surprising walled old town on the hill.
  • Berck-sur-Mer is a fantastic seaside town for families, and the 12km sandy beach is also popular for sand yachting.

Did you know...?

Lille flea market in September is one of the biggest in Europe, where thousands of stall-holders and bargain-hunters take over the city and create a fantastic, buzzing atmosphere.

Nearest Airports

Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Beauvais.

Nearest Ferryports

Calais and Dunkerque.

Travel Tip

Remember, you can whisk yourself from London into the heart of Lille in just 90 minutes on Eurostar.