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
With its extensive protected areas and habitats, northern France has several bird species not found in Britain as well as many which are difficult to see on our shores – and all within a short drive of your ferry or the Channel Tunnel.
In Amiens, between Paris and Lille, exploring Les Hortillonnages - a series of gorgeous islands separated by canals, makes for a very different French experience.
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.
Your insider's guide
to Northern France
INSIDE PICARDY eMagazine
#04
Highlights in this edition:
- Uncover the secrets of Lille and its laneways
- Soak in the sea breeze at chic resort Le Touquet
- Find the most spectacular view points in northern France
- Meet 20 Michelin-starred chefs on your doorstep
- Discover rare birds found just over the channel
- Dinkirk, home to Christopher Nolan’s 2017 blockbuster
- …and much more!
Photo credits : CRT Picardy/A Hiley