Pas-De-Calais: Coast, Marshland and Culture

120 kilometers of coastline and 1,700 kilometers of protected hiking trails offer different perspectives on the landscape of Pas-De-Calais. They are complemented by the marshland of the Marais Audomarois, cultural sites and activities stretching from the coast to inland areas. When planning your trip, it is worth first considering which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Coast and trails: three different routes

The Grand Site des Deux-Caps stretches for 23 kilometers and is considered an exceptional, fragile and protected natural landscape. Here, preserved biodiversity, fishing villages and Belle Époque villas come together. This blend of nature and built heritage also makes this stretch of coastline appealing to travelers looking beyond the scenery for a glimpse of regional architecture.

The 170-kilometer GR 120, known as the Sentier du Littoral, runs along the coast, connecting the Belgian coast with the Baie d’Authie. Other types of trails have their own focus: the GR Pays Tour de l’Audomarois is a 120-kilometer circular route starting in Saint-Omer. The GR 145 Via Francigena, meanwhile, is a medieval pilgrimage route that crosses France from Calais toward Rome. The coastal route, circular trail and long-distance pilgrimage route differ not only in length, but also in their course and character. Check the current conditions for each route before setting out.

Marais Audomarois: water, biodiversity and vegetable growing

The Marais Audomarois covers more than 3,600 hectares and is crisscrossed by 700 kilometers of waterways. A total of 2,600 species have been recorded there; more than 260 bird species live in or pass through the marsh. The area is considered France’s last cultivated and inhabited marsh. Its history is therefore not just a natural one: vegetable growing in the Marais dates back to the seventh century.

The way you explore also varies from one part of the area to another: some parts of the Marais are accessible only by boat. So, if you want to visit, plan around the specific area you have in mind. Those especially interested in the landscape and wildlife will find a different focus in the marshland than on the open coast; the stated figures for species and waterways make these differences tangible.

Museums and unique experiences

In Lens, the Galerie du temps at the Louvre-Lens displays more than 200 works across 3,000 square meters. The chronological exhibition spans from the fourth millennium BC to the middle of the 21st century. It offers a broad historical scope for a museum visit, while La Coupole has a different focus: its history and remembrance center explores the occupation, the Second World War and the history of space exploration.

La Coupole’s 3D planetarium is another attraction in its own right. An official 2022 dossier describes a 15-meter screen with 360-degree images, 10K 3D technology and screenings in several languages via audio headsets. As technical details and programs can change, it is advisable to check this information before planning a visit around it.

At Parc d’Olhain, the Tyrolienne zip line descends 564 meters from the Belvédère and reaches speeds of up to 85 km/h. The Luge 4 saisons runs for one kilometer through the forest and offers views of the hills of Artois. The Belvédère itself is 40 meters high and has eight platforms; from the highest platform, at 210 meters, the 360-degree view takes in the former mining basin, the Monts de Flandres, Artois and the surrounding landscape. The park also features the Village Enchanté for children aged four to eight, with net courses, slides, towers and hammocks. Check the access conditions for each attraction before you travel.

Nausicaá turns the focus to the marine world: the experience centers on Europe’s largest aquarium, which recreates Malpelo Island off the coast of Colombia. The facility is home to more than 58,000 animals and is committed to protecting marine ecosystems and marine life. Nature enthusiasts can compare the marshland and its birdlife with the aquarium’s underwater world.

Choosing where to stay

The experiences are spread across coastal landscapes, marshland, museums and inland activities. When choosing a hotel base, decide which destinations matter most for your stay, and check connections to each specific place individually. As a region-wide reference point, the A26 motorway starts in Calais and runs near Arras. The region also has an extensive rail network, with TER/SNCF services.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Brias, Hucqueliers, Berck, Bouvelinghem, Parenty, Lestrem, Marœuil, Grand-Rullecourt, Dannes, Beussent, Houdain, Gavrelle, Rivière, Estréelles, Lacres, Fillièvres, Warlincourt-Lès-Pas, Offrethun, Fressin, Inxent, Étaples, Desvres, Cucq, Coquelles, Camiers, Bruay-La-Buissière, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Capelle-Lès-Hesdin, Gouy-Sous-Bellonne, Nœux-Les-Mines, Saint-Nicolas, Arques, Ligny-En-Cambrésis, Carency, Loos-en-Gohelle, Farbus, Lépine, Marck, Dainville, Hauteville, Marquise, Marconne, Saint-Martin-Boulogne, Rang-Du-Fliers, Noyelles-Godault, Montcavrel, Sachin, Pas-En-Artois, Thièvres, Le Quesnoy-En-Artois, Belle-Et-Houllefort, Embry, Nuncq-Hautecôte, Wailly-Beaucamp, Blendecques, Hernicourt, Douvrin, Buire-Le-Sec, Carvin, Alembon, Saint-Venant, Wismes, Gonnehem, Le Sars, Beaurains, Ardres, Samer, Le Ponchel, Morval, Vaulx, Tortefontaine, Ficheux, Wirwignes, Aubin-Saint-Vaast, Buire-Au-Bois, Houlle, Ligny-Sur-Canche, Campagne-Lès-Hesdin, Lens, Landrethun-Le-Nord, Hesdin-Lʼabbé, Gosnay, Fresnes-Lès-Montauban, Fouquières-Lès-Béthune, Le Touquet, Vieil-Moutier, Lespinoy, Marles-Sur-Canche, Ambleteuse, Aire-Sur-La-Lys, Neufchâtel-Hardelot, Hardinghen, Sainte-Catherine, Acquin-Westbécourt, Fauquembergues, Hulluch, Ouve-Wirquin, Wanquetin, Maintenay, Écurie, Sains-Lès-Pernes, Bailleul-Sir-Berthoult, Ramecourt, Audembert, Audrehem, Fresnicourt-Le-Dolmen, Beauvoir-Wavans, Quiestède, Fampoux, La Capelle-Lès-Boulogne, Neuville-Sous-Montreuil, Berneville, Aubrometz, Mont-Saint-Éloi, Récourt, Serques, Souchez, Senlecques, Sanghen, Saint-Martin-Choquel, Rodelinghem, Bapaume, Autingues, Sailly-Sur-La-Lys, Isques, Fruges, Ergny, Conchil-Le-Temple, Bécourt, Tilques, Stella-Plage, Bermicourt, Beugny, Villers-Châtel, Roussent, Carly, Mazingarbe, Nempont-Saint-Firmin, Givenchy-en-Gohelle, Douriez, Reclinghem, Labroye, Campagne Lès Boulonnais, Willencourt, Monts-En-Ternois, Saint-Denœux, Airon-Saint-Vaast, Audinghen, Campagne, Cormont, Coulogne, Acq, Enquin-les-Mines, Agnez-lès-Duisans, Maisoncelle, Billy-Berclau, Saulchoy, Bully-les-Mines, Fiefs, Saint-Laurent-Blangy, Gauchin-Verloingt, Hesmond, Ferques, Surques, Outreau, Lisbourg, Guisy, Cavron-Saint-Martin, Oppy, Willeman, Merlimont, Wimille, Wisques, Marant, Hesdin, Rinxent, Tournehem-Sur-La-Hem, Auchy-Lès-Hesdin, Le Portel, Halinghen, Contes, Béthune, Heuchin, Corbehem, Wissant, Gouy-Saint-André, Courset, Dennebroeucq, Saint-Etienne-Au-Mont, Lumbres, Beaurainville, Groffliers, Vieil-Hesdin, La Calotterie, Tingry, Airon-Notre-Dame, Lorgies, Violaines, Isbergues, Escalles, Guînes, Mouriez, Hames-Boucres, Auxi-Le-Château, Vincly, Roquetoire, Blingel, Beauvois, Estrée-Wamin, Boubers-Sur-Canche, Le Wast, Coulomby, Condette, Oye-Plage, Montreuil-Sur-Mer, Busnes, Huby-Saint-Leu, Fléchin, Saint-Michel-Sous-Bois, Leulinghen-Bernes, Fresnoy-En-Gohelle, Clerques, Saint-Georges, Matringhem, Baincthun, Coupelle-Vieille, Ecques, Clairmarais, La Couture, Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines, Sallaumines, Wamin, Maninghem, Westrehem, Landrethun-lès-Ardres, Vieille-Chapelle, Sempy, Écuires, Hersin-Coupigny, Izel-lès-Équerchin, Marenla, Sangatte, Calais, Recques-Sur-Hem, Wierre-Effroy, Wimereux, Peuplingues, Longvilliers, Sorrus, Lillers, Leubringhen, Couin, Bourthes, Verton, Beuvrequen, Richebourg, Bainghen, Estrée-Cauchy, Souastre, Pernes-lès-Boulogne, Courrières, Ytres, Wail, Longfossé, Warlus, Laventie, Cambligneul, Auchy-au-Bois, Les Attaques, Robecq, Valhuon, Anzin-Saint-Aubin, Audresselles, Bouquehault, Audruicq, Colembert, Lebiez, Tramecourt, Écourt-Saint-Quentin, Croisilles, Maresville, Vendin-Le-Vieil, Salperwick, Humeroeuille, Licques, Torcy, Tigny-Noyelle, Loison-Sur-Créquoise, Meurchin, Coyecques, Ligny-Lès-Aire, Ruminghem, Saint-Léonard, Blessy, Liévin, Aix-En-Ergny, Audincthun, Annay, Herly, Quœux-Haut-Maînil, Haucourt, Gouy-en-Ternois, Rety, Royon, Bourlon, Zutkerque, Equihen-Plage, Beaumont, Éperlecques, Chériennes, Wierre-au-Bois, Colline-Beaumont, Bonningues-lès-Ardres, Lefaux, Grenay, Beuvry, Beutin, Arras, Saint-Inglevert, Saint-Josse, Saint-Omer, Saint-Pol-Sur-Ternoise, Verchocq, Caumont, Troisvaux, Fiennes

For a broader travel overview: Nord Pas De Calais.