Northern France's Nature Based Highlights
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Northern France is a great destination for those active weekend breaks when you just need your connection with nature or to escape to the country.
Birdwatching and wildlife holidays, beach weekends, forest hide-aways, coastal walking trails, cycling routes and more.
Northern France is home to many birds which are rare or in some cases impossible to see in the UK.
The beaches and coastal areas of Northern France are so diverse. In 100km you pass from white cliffs, to wide sandy beaches and coves, to pebbled beaches to untouched nature reserves and the Somme Bay.
The forests are thick and therapeutic. Hide-away in a French auberge in a 20,000 hecare forest, or ride your bike from the royal village of Compiègne to Pierrefonds, a magical castle and home to BBC's Merlin.
Your insider's guide
to Northern France
to Northern France
Nothing breaks routine like spending quality time in the great outdoors. Try northern France’s great natural spaces, from one of the world’s loveliest bays to forests and nature reserves teeming with wildlife.
The Somme bay, one of France’s listed Natural Wonders, is within easy reach of London yet worlds away from modern life and where wildlife spotting and foraging for wild foods is 100% natural.
In Amiens, between Paris and Lille, exploring Les Hortillonnages - a series of gorgeous islands separated by canals, makes for a very different French experience.
With thousands of songbirds following its shoreline south, as well as seabirds being funnelled into the English Channel, the northernmost coast of France is one of the best places in Europe to witness bird migration in autumn
Free Festive Season guide
in Northern France
To whet your appetite,
Focus on the Lille Christmas market
- 85 chalets
- a giant Christmas tree
- a Ferris wheel
- shops selling artisanal goods
- Find 6 other festive Destinations and Gift Inspiration, straight to your inbox!
Ever thought about getting local advice from insiders when you go on holidays? Well, that's exactly what this is all about. We invite you to get information directly from Hauts-de-France locals, knowledgeable visitors, tourism professional and guides, and you can use this information to help you plan your next stay in Northern France.
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Photo credits : CRT Picardy/A Hiley