The fine food of the North

Food trip

Are your taste buds in need of excitement? Then head for a corner of France that knows just how to stimulate them: the Hauts-De-France and its "ch'ti" North French cuisine. Welcome to the land of good humour, of flamiche tart with maroilles cheese, of fish soup, salted meat, herrings, strong-tasting cheeses, potjevleesch (a local potted meat) and carbonnade (beef stewed in beer), vergeois sugar waffles and chicory coffee ... From the mining district of Valenciennes to the old harbour of Dunkerque, from the top of the belfries of Douai and Bergues to the charming back streets of Lille, the kitchens of the North won't leave you hungry!

Where to sleep : at the hotelF1 in Haulchin (close to Valenciennes), Flers-en-Escrebieux (between Douai and Lens), Mons-en-Baroeul (close to Lille), Saint-Pol-sur-Mer (just outside Dunkerque), Coquelles (near Calais).

Tips :
• Ski down a former mining slag heap at the Loisinord artificial slope in Noeux-les-Mines.
• Visit the Piscine museum at Roubaix, an art gallery installed in a former municipal swimming pool.

Musée de la Piscine at Roubaix