What are the best campsites in the Nord?
4-star campsite with a water park in the Nord
Located in Aubigny-au-Bac, between Douai, Cambrai and Valenciennes, the La Sensée **** campsite charms visitors with its peaceful, leafy setting. It offers spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as fully equipped mobile homes and chalets. Holidaymakers can enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, leisure facilities for the whole family and free Wi-Fi throughout the site. An ideal spot for exploring the Nord region whilst enjoying a relaxing and friendly stay. The campsite is open from April to mid-October.
3-star seaside campsite in the Hauts-de-France region
Located in Dunkirk, a stone’s throw from Malo-les-Bains beach, La Licorne *** campsite is an ideal destination for a seaside holiday in the Nord region. This family-friendly campsite appeals with its direct access to a vast sandy beach and its water park featuring heated swimming pools, a fun paddling pool and slides for all ages. On site, holidaymakers can also enjoy a wide range of services and leisure facilities, as well as a prime location for exploring Dunkirk and the Opal Coast. Opening dates: from April to early November.
Camping holidays in the Nord
Located in Aubers, in the heart of the Pays des Weppes and just about twenty minutes from Lille, the Le Camp des Roses *** campsite is nestled in a peaceful, wooded and leafy setting. Bordered by fishing ponds, it offers spacious pitches as well as comfortable mobile homes for a holiday close to nature. Holidaymakers can enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, leisure areas and a wide range of facilities for the whole family. Open from April to the end of October.
Seaside campsite in the Hauts-de-France region
Located in Gravelines, between Dunkirk and Calais, the Camping des Dunes **** is ideally situated on the Opal Coast. Its main attraction: direct access to a vast sandy beach via a path through the dunes. In a family-friendly, leafy setting, it offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as comfortable accommodation. Holidaymakers can also enjoy a wide range of leisure facilities, seasonal entertainment and a wellness area with a sauna and jacuzzi. Opening dates: from late March to mid-November.
Affordable camping in the North
Located in Ghyvelde, between Dunkirk and Bray-Dunes, the Caravaning du Lac ** is set in a natural, leafy setting just a few kilometres from the North Sea beaches. Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet and the great outdoors, it offers spacious, semi-shaded pitches as well as a wide range of leisure and relaxation facilities, including a wellness area with a sauna and steam room. Its unspoilt setting, close to the dunes and the Belgian border, makes it an excellent base for exploring the Opal Coast and the landscapes of the North. Opening dates: 15 March to 15 November.
To discover all the campsites in the Nord region as a pleasant and practical form of accommodation, click here.
Where are the hidden gems of the Nord region?
Lille, the cultural capital and a must-visit destination in the Nord
A city with a remarkable historical and architectural heritage, Lille is the main city in the Nord department and an unmissable stop on any trip to the Hauts-de-France region. Dynamic, welcoming and steeped in a fascinating history, it appeals to culture lovers and families looking for new experiences alike. As you stroll through the city centre, you can admire some of its iconic landmarks, such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France’s largest museums, the Vieille Bourse with its typical Flemish architecture, the Town Hall and its famous belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place, the very heart of the city, and the Palais Rihour, the last remaining part of the former residence of the Dukes of Burgundy. The cobbled streets of Old Lille, lined with colourful façades, shops and welcoming cafés, are also perfect for a family stroll. If you’re visiting the Nord region in early September, don’t miss the famous Braderie de Lille under any circumstances. Held every year on the first weekend of September, it attracts several million visitors and stretches for nearly 100 kilometres of stalls, making it one of Europe’s largest flea markets. With its heritage, culture, cuisine and festive events, Lille is an unmissable destination for discovering all the treasures of the Nord region.
Roubaix: a blend of industrial heritage and culture
Situated on the outskirts of Lille, Roubaix is an iconic city in the Nord region that bears witness to the area’s rich industrial past. Long known for its textile industry, it now captivates visitors with its remarkable heritage and vibrant cultural scene. During your visit, don’t miss the La Piscine Museum of Art and Industry, one of the most visited sites in the Hauts-de-France region. Housed in a former Art Deco-style municipal swimming pool, this unique venue offers a spectacular setting where works of art, sculptures, textiles and design pieces come together. Its famous central pool, preserved and enhanced by elegant lighting, gives the museum an extraordinary atmosphere that delights visitors of all ages. A must-see for families and culture lovers alike, in the heart of a city that has successfully transformed its industrial heritage into a real tourist attraction.image
The Lewarde Mining History Centre: a journey into the heart of the history of the Nord region
Around fifty kilometres south of Lille, the Lewarde Mining History Centre is an unmissable site for discovering the industrial history of the Nord region and the mining basin. Situated on the site of the former Delloye colliery, it is now the largest mining museum in France and offers a fascinating visit for the whole family. As they make their way through the centre, visitors explore permanent exhibitions dedicated to the lives of miners, coal extraction techniques and the evolution of the mining industry. Faithful reconstructions provide a better understanding of the working conditions of the time, whilst a guided tour of the underground galleries immerses visitors of all ages in the daily lives of the ‘gueules noires’ (coal miners). Among the most striking areas are the coal-mining sites and the famous ‘salle des pendus’ (hanging room), where miners used to hang their clothes before descending into the depths of the mine. A true place of remembrance, the Lewarde Mining History Centre offers an experience that is as enriching as it is moving, providing a deeper understanding of the identity and heritage of the Nord region.
Douai and its belfry, a jewel of Flemish heritage
Just a stone’s throw from Lewarde, the town of Douai is also well worth a visit whilst exploring the Nord region. Renowned for its rich historical heritage and its quintessentially Flemish atmosphere, it is home to one of the region’s finest belfries. The belfry of Douai, a true symbol of the town, impresses with its height and, above all, its exceptional carillon comprising 62 bells – one of the largest in France. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it proudly dominates the town centre and offers a remarkable view over the rooftops and surrounding countryside. As you stroll through the streets of Douai, you’ll also discover elegant architecture, lively squares and a warm atmosphere that make it a delightful destination for a family visit.
Bergues, the fortified town made famous by the film *Les Ch’tis*
Nestled in the heart of French Flanders, the charming town of Bergues is one of the most beautiful destinations to explore in the Nord department. Surrounded by ramparts and canals, this fortified town captivates visitors with its authenticity, well-preserved heritage and peaceful atmosphere. It is particularly pleasant to stroll through its historic alleyways, walk along the ramparts or enjoy a family walk by the water’s edge. Bergues has seen a significant boom in tourism since the release of the film *Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis*, which helped bring its treasures to the attention of the wider public. Among them, the famous belfry towers over the town. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses an impressive carillon of 50 bells, whose melodies set the rhythm of life in Bergues. Visitors who climb its steps are rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view over the town’s rooftops, the ramparts and the surrounding Flemish countryside. With its heritage, culture and relaxed way of life, Bergues is an unmissable stop on any trip to the Nord region.
Dunkirk, a major port steeped in maritime history and heritage
Don’t miss the port of Dunkirk, one of the most important ports in the North Sea and a quintessential example of the North’s maritime heritage. A true economic and historical driving force for the region, it can also be explored through the Dunkirk Port Museum, housed in a former tobacco warehouse, which traces the history of the town, its great explorers and its maritime activities. A visit offers a deeper understanding of the strong bond between Dunkirk and the sea, through rich collections and tours of ships moored at the quayside. The city also stands out for its remarkable architectural heritage, notably its two iconic belfries: that of Saint-Éloi Church and that of the Town Hall, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With its blend of culture, history and harbour atmosphere, Dunkirk is an unmissable stop on any trip to the Nord region.
Vaucelles Abbey, a Cistercian gem in the Nord
Finally, south of Douai, some 40 kilometres away, the Cistercian Abbey of Vaucelles is an unmissable stop for lovers of heritage and history. Founded in the 12th century, this remarkable site bears witness to the richness of monastic architecture in France and the influence of the Cistercian Order in the region. A true, well-preserved gem, the abbey is particularly notable for its majestic chapter house, considered to be the largest Cistercian chapter house in Europe. Set in peaceful, leafy surroundings, the site offers an atmosphere perfect for exploration and contemplation. An ideal family outing combining culture, history and a stroll through the heart of an exceptional site in the Nord.
The Opal Coast: an exceptional coastline between dunes and seaside resorts
Located mainly in the Pas-de-Calais, the Opal Coast nevertheless begins in the Nord region, starting at Bray-Dunes, and boasts a coastline of great natural beauty. This exceptional area captivates visitors with the diversity of its landscapes, ranging from vast beaches of fine sand to wild dunes, cliffs and charming coastal villages. As for seaside resorts, Malo-les-Bains, north of Dunkirk, is one of the must-visit destinations on the northern coast, with its long beach stretching over 4 kilometres – ideal for family walks, water sports or simply relaxing by the North Sea. Further east, Bray-Dunes marks the last French beach before the Belgian border and boasts a well-preserved natural environment: the dunes and dune areas are protected. Combining nature, the great outdoors and lively seaside resorts, the Opal Coast is an unmissable destination for discovering the North’s most beautiful landscapes.
Let’s eat! The hearty cuisine of the North
You simply cannot explore the North without sitting down to a meal and sampling its hearty, convivial cuisine, which perfectly reflects the region’s warm spirit. An absolute must-try, Flemish carbonade is an iconic dish simmered in beer, often served with chips, which delights with its sweet-and-savoury flavours. Another local star is Maroilles, a cheese with a strong character, which can be enjoyed on a cheese platter or in traditional recipes such as flamiche. On the coast, mussels and chips reign supreme, particularly at large street markets and seaside meals. When it comes to sweet treats, the filled waffle – crispy on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth on the inside – delights food lovers at any time of day, as do the famous ‘bêtises de Cambrai’, those mint sweets born of a ‘mistake’ that has become a true speciality. With its comforting dishes, local produce and sweet treats, the cuisine of the Nord promises a delicious experience to share with the family.