Nord-Pas de Calais Travelers Recommend

A Franco-Flemish architectural marvel, a key World War I location, and the birthplace of General Charles de Gaulle, Lille is a history-saturated city with culture to spare. Three days are enough time to discover the town itself and visit the region’s battle sites, memorials, and cemeteries. Here’s how to plan your trip.

Day 1: Urban adventures

The capital of the Hauts-de-France region, lovely, cosmopolitan Lille bursts with centuries-old landmarks, architectural gems, and world-class museums. Begin your first day with a cycling or driving tour of the city, seeing top attractions (such as the Grand Place, Lille Town Hall, and Lille Cathedral) while learning about local history. Afterward, relax at a nearby restaurant and sample a microbrew or two—located around 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the border with Belgium, Lille is known for its beer culture. Wind down your day by wandering around a museum such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille (one of the largest museums in France) or the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse (inside an atmospheric old hospital), before heading to a bistro for a hearty evening feast.

Day 2: World War I sites

Particularly if you’re a history buff, dedicate your second day to exploring the region’s major wartime locales. Tour itineraries might include the village of Fromelles (which saw a bloody conflict involving British and Australian troops in 1916), Vimy (site of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and now home to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial), or Western Front landmarks (including bomb craters, trenches, and memorials) related to the Battle of the Somme, one of WWI’s pivotal conflicts. Finally, return to Lille for a restorative meal.

Day 3: A Belgian history tour

Take a day trip to nearby Belgium. Departing early in the morning, make your way to Ypres, an important WWI destination that’s also home to plenty of architectural highlights. See Hill 62, where Canadian troops once fought; pay tribute to fallen Commonwealth soldiers at Tyne Cot Cemetery; and visit the celebrated Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, just beyond city limits in Zonnebeke. In the afternoon, pause for refreshments in central Ypres, and check out St. Martin’s Cathedral and the medieval Cloth Hall. When the sun begins to set, don’t miss the somber Last Post remembrance ceremony at the Menin Gate before crossing the border back into France.

From 1914 to 1918, World War I raged across the Western Front in France and Belgium. Although today the land lies still, the battle scars are evident. Lille is perfectly situated for easily visiting the surrounding historic sites. See below for ways to delve into WWI history from Lille.

Highlights

• Tour the battlefields of Flanders and the Ypres Salient, and discover Great War sites such as the German cemetery in Langemark and John McRae’s Essex Farm.

• See where soldiers served on the Western Front at Passchendaele, and where they lie in rest at Tyne Cot cemetery.

• Spend time in Ypres itself and explore sights including St. George’s Chapel and the Menin Gate Memorial.

• Visit the WWI battlefields of Hill 60, and pay respects at the memorials to fallen Australian, British, and Canadian regiments.

• Delve into the Somme region, where 60,000 British Army soldiers lost their lives in a single day.

The fields and valleys of France’s Nord-Pas-de-Calais region saw some of the most brutal and significant battles of World War I. While this corner of northern France is now peaceful, the weight of history still hangs heavily. Here are a few must-see WWI battle sites in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and surrounds.

Battle of Arras

From April 9 to May 16, 1917, British soldiers attacked German strongholds in the countryside just outside the town of Arras, on the Western Front. As battle raged for over a month, British forces achieved one of the Great War’s longest land advances. As the Brits focused on the territory between Vimy and Bullecourt, the stage was set for the Battle of Vimy Ridge—one of the Arras offensive’s encouraging (for the Allies) opening battles.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

From April 9 to 12, 1917, Vimy Ridge was a key site in the Battle of Arras. During the now infamous Battle of Vimy Ridge, soldiers from the Canadian Corps advanced upon the German 6th Army—successfully claiming the strategically important high ground and protecting Allied forces from German gunfire.

Battle of Artois

The Battle of Artois was actually three different clashes that took place through 1914 and 1915. The first followed the Battle of Ypres and saw a stalemate between opposing sides trying to claim territory on the Western Front. In the second, French forces attacked German rail lines to cut off communications and resources. The third battle saw French and Allied forces capitalize on their larger numbers over the Germans.

Battle of Loos

From September 25 to October 1915, the Battle of Loos involved a huge attack by British and French forces on the German defenses in Artois and Champagne. Despite having replenished ammunition stocks and superior weaponry, the Allied forces were unable to surmount the German defense; the battle ended with severe British casualties.

Battle of Cambrai

Although relatively short-lived, the Battle of Cambrai is considered among the most significant struggles in Nord-Pas-de-Calais’ WWI history. The 1917 battle was focused largely on British and German forces. Following an initial British intrusion into German lines, German soldiers mounted a violent counterattack. 

Poised less than 10 miles from the Belgian border, Lille is celebrated for its unique blend of French and Flemish cultures. Given its proximity to numerous World War I battle sites and memorials, it’s also a jumping-off point for history tours. Two days is enough time to explore both the city and surrounding region. Here’s what to do.

Day 1: City Wanderings

**Morning:**History-saturated Lille is packed with landmarks, and an introductory city tour is the perfect way to discover them. Set off on foot, by car, or by bike, and glimpse highlights such as Lille City Hall (and its soaring belfry), the strikingly modern Lille Cathedral, and more.

**Afternoon:**Following your introduction to the city, dedicate your afternoon to a cultural excursion. Spend several hours discovering the collection highlights of the Lille Museum of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille), hop in a cab to the recently refurbished Museum of Art and Industry (La Piscine Musée d'Art et d'Industrie), located in a restored swimming pool, or visit the heritage Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse.

**Evening:**Stomach rumbling? Happily, Lille is host to a vibrant drinks and dining scene. Sign up for a local-led cooking class to discover how to make its specialties for yourself, or secure a table at one of the city’s refined restaurants. Wash it all down with a Belgian-style beer before tucking in for the night.

Day 2: World War I Excursions

**Morning:**Lille and the surrounding region played a pivotal role in WWI. On your second day in town, follow in soldiers’ footsteps, visit memorial sites, and learn more about this dark period in the area’s history. Begin in the town of Fromelles: a quick trip from Lille, a former post along the Western Front, and site of a bloody battle involving British and Australian troops.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, continue your somber explorations across the border in Belgium when you visit the Tyne Cot Cemetery. The final resting place of many thousands of Commonwealth soldiers, the cemetery stands on the site of the Third Battle of Ypres. Pay tribute to all those who lost their lives as you go.

**Evening:**Finish your WWI history tour in the Belgian city of Ypres (Ieper in Dutch), which was the site of several major military campaigns. See where the Battle of Hill 60 was fought, and attend the moving, nightly Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. Finally, cross the border back into France and return to Lille.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais in Northern France sits along part of what was the Western Front of World War I. The region and its immediate surroundings were the setting for many key clashes, with the Central Powers and the Allies battling almost constantly for control. Here is what you can expect from WWI history tours in the region.

Highlights

• Visit key battle sites and trenches from the Battle of the Somme, which took place along the upper reaches of the Somme River and was one of the bloodiest battles of WWI.

• Explore the role of British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and other international troops stationed in the trenches of Europe's Western Front.

• Learn about the events of pivotal battles, such as the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Cambrai.

• Descend into the underground tunnels of Arras, which housed more than 20,000 Allied troops and were equipped with running water, electricity, and a fully functioning hospital.

• Pay tribute to those who lost their life in WWI at moving memorials, such as the Thiepval Memorial, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, the Australian Memorial Park, and the Memorial to the Missing at Tyne Cot Cemetery in neighboring Belgium.

• Cross the border to Ypres in Belgium to watch the Last Post ceremony, which takes place nightly at Menin Gate and remembers those who fought here during a solemn ritual that includes bugle calls and a minute of silence.

Located just a quick trip from the Belgian border, the northern city of Lille is known for its distinctive blend of French and Flemish cultures. One day in town is enough time to explore Vieux Lille (the city’s historical center), visit its key cultural landmarks, and discover the city’s culinary bounty. Here’s the perfect itinerary.

Morning: A Lille Introduction

Discover’s Lille’s architectural beauty and historical highlights when you start your day with an introductory city tour. If time is of the essence, a private driving tour offers a speedy way to see more of the city in less time. Bicycle and walking tours of the atmospheric old town, Vieux Lille, also help you spot key landmarks while soaking up the ambiance. Whichever itinerary you choose, you can look forward to encountering top attractions such as the Grand Place (the city’s scenic, main public square), city hall (and its lofty belfry), and the Palais Rihour.

Afternoon: A Closer Look

After you’ve found your feet in Lille, swing by a bistro for a restorative meal before continuing the sightseeing. Dedicate your afternoon to discovering one of the city’s major landmarks up close. Venture into the Lille Museum of Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille), among the largest art museums in France, or visit Charles de Gaulle’s Birthplace and Museum. Alternatively, ascend to Lille City Hall’s belfry for panoramic city views—grab a pair of binoculars to aid your sightseeing. 

Evening: Gastronomy, Lille-Style

End your Lille explorations on a decadent note when you indulge in the city’s top culinary offerings. Lille has a number of Michelin-starred eateries to its name, including elegant haunts such as La Table, Val d’Auge, and Nature. Alternatively, for a hands-on experience, sign up for an evening cooking class to learn how to make local specialties yourself. And don’t forget to try a beer or two before day’s end: Given its proximity to Belgium, Lille is a city that takes its suds seriously.