Just across the border from the Belgian cities of Brugge and Gent and a short hop or the Chunnel across the Channel from England lies the Nord/Pas-de-Calais region.

This picturesque land consists of contrasting forests, gentle meadows and rolling hills dotted with windmills. Sandy beaches and imposing cliffs make up the 150 mile stretch of coastline.

Visitors can cruise the network of canals and rivers and explore the expansive countryside and nature reserve parks. Many battlefields including Flanders Fields are in the region.

The city of Lille appeared in the Middle Ages. The primary city in this region, Lille is today a sprawling modern metropolis with a lively historic heart and an excellent art museum.

Champagne-Ardenne is a must-see destination for the fine wine enthusiast who also enjoys beautiful countryside landscapes. The region features forests, brilliantly clear lakes and streams that run through limestone rocks. Within these limestone layers, miles and miles of rock have been excavated to provide underground galleries for the housing of bubbly.

Reims was the capital of France from the 4th to 9th centuries. Its Notre Dame cathedral is where kings of France were once crowned. Among the many highlights of this region are the castle at Sedan, the fortified city of Langres, the 16th century houses at Troyes, the many wooden facade churches in the Champagne countryside and the Meuse Valley. CONTACT