20 must-see experiences in Hauts-de-France

Activities

Emilie

Published on 29/09/2025

Hauts-de-France is brimming with architectural, historical and natural treasures, making it a must-see destination in the north of France. From Gothic cathedrals to the sandy beaches of the Côte d’Opale, not to mention the moving testimonies of history, this region offers an exceptionally rich heritage. Discover our selection of the 20 must-do things to do in Hauts-de-France.

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1. Notre-Dame d’Amiens cathedral

A jewel of French Gothic art, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Amiens is one of the largest cathedrals in France and Europe. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this 13th-century architectural marvel impresses with its exceptional size and the finesse of its sculptures. Its western façade, a veritable “stone bible”, tells the story of the saints through hundreds of finely chiselled statues.

Download the audio tour to discover Amiens on foot and on your own

Explore Amiens and its architectural treasures with our 3h15 audio tour, which will take you 7.4 km through the Picardy capital. From the majestic cathedral to the hortillonnages and the Saint-Leu district, let 27 audio commentaries guide you through this city steeped in history.

Also read the Amiens guide:

2. Lille, the capital of Flanders

Visiting Lille immerses you in the warm atmosphere of the capital of Flanders. The Grand-Place, with its colourful Flemish facades, the Vieille Bourse and its second-hand booksellers, the Vieux-Lille district with its cobbled streets… The city’s remarkable architectural heritage is a blend of French and Flemish influences. Don’t miss the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France’s richest museums after the Louvre.

Let theNavaway itinerary be your guide as you explore Lille, covering 6km in 2 and a half hours with 22 audio commentaries so you don’t miss a thing of this dynamic metropolis.

3. The Opal Coast and its spectacular scenery

Stretching from the Bay of the Somme to the Belgian border, the Côte d’Opale offers stunningly beautiful seascapes. The Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez offer exceptional views of the English Channel, and on a clear day you can see the English coastline. The fine sandy beaches of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Wimereux and Berck-sur-Mer invite you to relax and enjoy water sports.

4. The Calais belfry

Towering 75 metres above the town, the Calais belfry is one of the most recognisable symbols of the Hauts-de-France region. Built in the early 20th century in the neo-Flemish style, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the network of belfries in northern France and Belgium. From the top, the view takes in the town, the port and, on a clear day, the English coastline.

Explore Calais and its rich historical heritage on a 5.6km, 2h15 walk, punctuated by 24 audio commentaries revealing the secrets of this border town steeped in history.

5. The Bay of the Somme, an unspoilt natural setting

Ranked as one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Bay of the Somme fascinates visitors with the diversity of its landscapes and the richness of its wildlife. This unspoilt area is home to colonies of harbour seals and grey seals, which can be seen from the Pointe du Hourdel. The Bay of the Somme railway rides offer an original way to discover these natural areas between Le Crotoy and Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

6. Chantilly castle

Nicknamed the “Versailles of the North”, the Château de Chantilly dazzles visitors with its Renaissance architecture and formal gardens designed by Le Nôtre. The Musée Condé houses the second-largest collection of ancient paintings in France after the Louvre, with masterpieces by Raphael, Botticelli and Delacroix. The Grandes Écuries, a masterpiece of eighteenth-century equestrian architecture, now houses the Musée du Cheval.

7. Nausicaá, the National Sea Centre

Located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Nausicaá is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. This centre, dedicated to discovering and raising awareness of the need to protect the marine world, is home to more than 58,000 animals of 1,600 different species. The large 10,000 m³ tank recreates the ecosystem of the open sea, offering a breathtaking view of sharks, manta rays and schools of tropical fish.

8. Arras and its Flemish baroque squares

The capital of the Artois region is particularly attractive for the architectural harmony of its two central squares: the Grand-Place and the Place des Héros. These Flemish baroque ensembles from the 16th and 17th centuries, with their 155 facades, slender gables and arcades, form a theatrical setting that is unique in France. Beneath these squares lie the boves, an underground network of galleries carved out of the chalk that bear witness to the town’s turbulent history.

9. Compiègne, at the heart of French history

As the imperial residence of Napoleon III, Compiègne has played a major role in French history. The château, one of France’s three royal châteaux alongside Versailles and Fontainebleau, houses the Imperial Apartments and the Second Empire Museum. The Armistice clearing, where the armistices of 1918 and 1940 were signed, is a moving place of remembrance in the heart of the Compiègne forest.

Discover the fascinating history of Compiègne on a guided tour of 4.5 km in 1 hour 50 minutes, with 17 audio commentaries revealing the secrets of this imperial town.

10. The Louvre-Lens Museum

Opened in 2012 on the former pit 9 mining site, the Louvre-Lens symbolises the cultural renaissance of the coalfield. Its contemporary architecture, designed by SANAA, contrasts with the surrounding industrial environment. The Galerie du Temps, a unique 3,000 m² space, presents 200 masterpieces from the Louvre in a revolutionary chronological scenography that retraces 5,000 years of art history.

11. Dunkirk, the corsair city

A port town with a rich maritime past, Dunkirk recalls the saga of the privateers and the heroic evacuation of 1940. The port museum retraces this maritime history in authentic museum ships. Every year, the famous Dunkirk carnival transforms the city into an open-air theatre, with its age-old traditions and unique atmosphere.

Explore Dunkirk’s maritime heritage along a 7.8km route in 3 hours 10 minutes, guided by 22 audio commentaries that will help you discover this city with a strong character.

12. Pierrefonds Castle

Built in the 14th century and restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc, Pierrefonds castle embodies the romantic image of the medieval fortress. Its round towers, battlements and fantastic gargoyles make it a fairytale setting that has been used in numerous films and TV series. The tour reveals exceptional decorative art combining medieval authenticity and 19th-century creativity.

13. Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park

Scarpe-Escaut was France’s first regional nature park, created in 1968. It preserves the landscapes of hedged farmland, wetlands and forests between France and Belgium. Its mining subsidence ponds have become refuges for exceptional flora and fauna. Hiking trails are available to discover this area, where nature has reclaimed its rights in the former mining basin.

14. The Anneau de la Mémoire at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette

Inaugurated in 2014, the Anneau de la Mémoire pays tribute to the 580,000 soldiers of all nationalities who died in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region during the First World War. This monumental work by architect Philippe Prost, suspended above the plain, symbolises universal fraternity in the face of the sacrifice of war. The names of the soldiers are engraved in alphabetical order, without distinction of nationality or rank.

15. Gerberoy, one of the most beautiful villages in France

Perched on its rocky outcrop in the Oise department, Gerberoy is an enchanting place, with half-timbered houses decorated with hollyhocks and wisteria. This village of fewer than 100 inhabitants, nicknamed “the village of a thousand roses”, has retained its medieval character with its ramparts and cobbled streets. The painter Henri Le Sidaner lived here and contributed to its fame by creating its remarkable gardens.

16. The Vimy Memorial

Erected on Vimy Ridge, this memorial pays tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fell in France during the First World War. The 30-metre-high white stone monument dominates a park where the remains of trenches and shell craters can still be seen. The Vimy underground tunnels, dug by Canadian soldiers, bear witness to the living conditions of the combatants in this key sector of the Western Front.

17. Lille citadel

Nicknamed the “Queen of Citadels” by Vauban himself, the Lille citadel is one of the jewels of French military architecture. Built in the 17th century, this fortification in the shape of a five-pointed star is a testament to Vauban’s genius. Today, its green spaces are home to Lille Zoo and offer a popular place for families to relax in the heart of the Lille metropolitan area.

18. Le Marquenterre ornithological park

Situated in the Bay of the Somme, the Parc du Marquenterre is a prime location for observing migratory birds. This 200-hectare nature reserve is home to more than 370 species of birds, depending on the season. Observation trails have been set up to watch spoonbills, avocets, storks and many species of ducks in their natural, unspoilt habitat.

19. Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille

The Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille is France’s second-largest museum after the Louvre, with masterpieces by Monet, Rodin, Courbet, Delacroix and many other masters. Its collections of European art cover six centuries of artistic creation. The graphic arts department holds over 55,000 drawings, prints and photographs, making the museum a reference centre for art history research.

20. The Amiens hortillonnages

A veritable green Venice in the heart of Amiens, the hortillonnages form a maze of canals and artificial islands created in the Middle Ages. These 300-hectare floating gardens can be explored in a cornet boat, the traditional craft of the market gardeners of Amiens. This unique landscape heritage, with its mix of kitchen gardens, ornamental gardens and wild nature, bears witness to a thousand-year-old art of living between land and water.

Make the most of your visit to Amiens to discover this exceptional site as a complement to your guided tour of the city.

In conclusion, the Hauts-de-France offers an exceptionally rich heritage, combining Gothic art, military architecture, sites of remembrance and unspoilt natural areas. From Amiens Cathedral to the beaches of the Côte d’Opale, not forgetting the emblematic belfries and world-famous museums, this region of northern France reveals unsuspected treasures. For an in-depth exploration of its main towns, don’t hesitate to let yourself be guided by the Navaway audio tours, which will give you an unforgettable experience at the heart of Hauts-de-France’s heritage.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Hauts-de-France?

The best period is from May to September, with pleasant temperatures and less rain. Summer is the time to take full advantage of the Opal Coast beaches and outdoor activities. Spring and autumn offer ideal conditions for visiting the towns and discovering the architectural heritage without the summer crowds.

How many days does it take to visit Hauts-de-France?

One week is enough to discover the region’s key sites. Allow 2 days for Lille and the surrounding area, 1 to 2 days for Amiens, 2 days for the Côte d’Opale and the Baie de Somme, and 2 to 3 days for the other sites depending on your interests.

How do you get around Hauts-de-France?

The car remains the most practical means of exploring the region and accessing its natural sites. The TER rail network serves the main towns well. For the city centres, the Navaway walking tours with audio guides are an excellent way of exploring the region independently and in depth.

What culinary specialities from the Hauts-de-France region are not to be missed?

The region offers a rich gastronomy: ficelle picarde, moules-frites, carbonade flamande, maroilles, bêtises de Cambrai and filled waffles. Local craft beers are the perfect accompaniment to these northern specialities.