Pas-de-Calais

A coastal department in northern France, where WWI battlefields, a mining-basin art museum, and Flemish-style squares form a profound travel theme.

Pas-de-Calais is located in the Hauts-de-France region of France, bordering the Strait of Dover, with Arras as its capital. The inland area was once an important mining basin and a major WWI Western Front battlefield. The Louvre-Lens museum, built on a former mining site, has created a new landmark for art. The Grand Place and belfry of Arras showcase Flemish style, while the underground Wellington Quarry tells the story of WWI tunneling. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette National Cemetery and Ring of Remembrance are important places for commemoration. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. Visitors can take a high-speed train from Lille or Paris to Arras, and Calais serves as the cross-channel gateway.

Destinations

• Opal Coast – Two Capes
• Lille
• Baie de Somme

Itineraries

• Hauts-de-France: Lille, Somme & Opal Coast – A loop from Lille through WWI battlefields, Amiens, and the Baie de Somme, heading north to the Channel cliffs before r…
• Amiens & Baie de Somme Weekend – A car-free weekend trip: take the train to see Amiens Cathedral and the floating gardens, then ride a vintage steam tra…