Hauts-de-France

Best of Hauts-de-France

Hauts-de-France Unmissables

Hauts-de-France features a dense concentration of UNESCO-listed belfries and Flemish-influenced architecture across cities like Lille, Dunkerque, and Calais. The region’s history is reflected in maritime fortifications like Fort Mahon and significant World War II sites, including the massive bunker complex at La Coupole. Coastal highlights include Nausicaá, Europe's largest aquarium, while inland urban centers showcase grand squares and 19th-century monuments like the statue of General Faidherbe.

Hauts-de-France Unmissables — Map

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / GFDL

A

Rihour Square

One of the busiest place in Lille. This vibrant square lined with beautiful buildings and lively cafés is a truly fun place to be.

Velvet / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Beffroi de Dunkerque

15th-century Gothic belfry originally serving as the bell tower for Saint-Eloi church. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands 58 meters tall.

Matthieu Sontag / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer

Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer is a public aquarium located in Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.

Remi Jouan / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Saint-Étienne Church

The Church of Saint-Étienne, Lille is a Roman Catholic church located on the rue de l'Hôpital Militaire in Lille, France.

Velvet / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Hôtel de Ville de Dunkerque

Neo-Flemish town hall built between 1897 and 1901. The facade features a UNESCO-listed belfry and statues of historical figures associated with Dunkerque.

troye owens / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Beffroi

UNESCO-listed belfry originally dating to the 16th century, reconstructed after destruction in 1944. It houses a carillon of 50 bells.

TISSERAND MARIE H / CC-BY-SA

G

Beffroi de l'hôtel de ville

75-meter Flemish Renaissance-style tower built in the early 20th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is part of the Calais Town Hall.

AUDENARD / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Hôtel de ville

Flemish-style administrative building rebuilt in the 1920s. Its UNESCO-listed belfry and ornate gables reflect the regional architecture of French Flanders.

Velvet / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Statue de Faidherbe

Bronze equestrian monument by sculptor Antonin Mercié, dedicated to General Louis Faidherbe, a Lille native and governor of Senegal.

Claus Ableiter / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

LAAC, Lieu d'art et d'action contemporaine

Contemporary art museum housing over 1,500 works from 1940 to 1980. The building is surrounded by a scenic sculpture park.

K

Beffroi

12th-century former castle keep repurposed as a belfry. It is the oldest monument in the upper town and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Andrzej Otrębski / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Beffroi de l'hôtel de ville

UNESCO-listed tower integrated into the neo-Flemish town hall. It serves as a symbolic landmark of the city's post-war reconstruction.

M

Belfry of the City Hall of Armentières

67-meter tower rebuilt in 1934 following its destruction in World War I. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Redstone Hill / CC-BY-SA-2.0

N

La Coupole

La Coupole, also known as the Coupole d'Helfaut-Wizernes and originally codenamed Bauvorhaben 21 or Schotterwerk Nordwest, is a Second…

O

Fort Henry VIII (Audinghen)

Ruins of a 16th-century fortification constructed during the English occupation of the Boulonnais region under King Henry VIII.

Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Fort Mahon

17th-century maritime fort designed by Vauban. It is the only coastal fort of its kind still standing on the Channel coast.

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