What to See and Do in the Nord Department
France’s most populous department has plenty of great cultural, sporty, natural and architectural sites and events…
FESTIVALS
1. On the first weekend in September, Lille hosts an enormous flea market in the city centre. Called la Braderie de Lille, it claims to be the world’s biggest such market, continuing non-stop from 2pm on the Saturday to 11pm on the Sunday.
2. Only the French could have a whole festival dedicated to soup. La Louche d’Or takes place every year in a city quarter of Lille called Wazemmes. As well as the obligatory soup-tasting, there are shows, concerts and lots of family-friendly activities. Next year’s event is expected to be on May I.
3. Come late November and Lille’s Place Rihour plays centre stage to one of France’s more enchanting Christmas markets, with stalls, mulled wine, biscuits and a funfair.
4. Gayant, his wife Marie Cagenon, and their three children Jacquot, Fillon and Binbin are the stars of an annual procession and festival in the city of Douai called Les Fêtes de Gayant. Dating back to the 1500s, the event – staged for three days in early July – now attracts 100,000 people a year, with the lead characters represented as giant wicker mannequins.
5. From July 12 to 14 there’s a music festival in Aulnoye-Aymeries called Les Nuits Secrètes. Headlining this year was rapper PLK, multi-genre band Shaka Ponk and indie rockers Phoenix, as well as several bands whose identities remain secret until they actually start playing.
BEER FESTIVALS
Beer fans are in heaven in the Nord department. There are multiple festivals throughout the year, including Festival des Bières d’Abbaye in June in Vaucelles: Le FIBA in September in Sainte-Marie-Cappel: Le BAL in November in Lille; and Kermesse de la Bière in October in Maubeuge.
BELFRIES
Recognised by UNESCO, the Nord’s famous belfries are symbolic of this region, standing tall above the cities. Visitors are encouraged to climb the multiple steps and admire the views of the surrounding towns and countryside. There are belfries. scattered all over the department, with notable examples in Durikerque, Bergues, Bailleul, Armentières, Lille and Douai. At the latter, every Saturday, master bellringer Stefano Colletti plays a 20-minute sonata. Visitors can climb the 196 steps to the top.
AQUARIUM
It’s far from the best aquarium in France, but then the entry prices (€3 for adults, €1.50 for children) for Aquarium de Dunkerque are an ocean away from what you’d normally expect to pay. There are eight tropical, nine freshwater and three North Sea aquaria on offer. Open every day except Mondays.
CYCLING
The cobbles! Watch out for the cobbles! The annual one-day cycling race known as Paris-Roubaix is legendary for its bone-shaking cobbles, or pavés. No wonder they call it ‘The Hell of the North’. One of cycling’s oldest races, it is staged every year in early April, starting north of Paris, in Compiègne, and finishing around 260km or so later in Roubaix Velodrome. The atmosphere along certain sections of the route is often loud, boozy and great fun. One of the prizes is an actual cobblestone. There are also shorter races for amateur riders.
ZOO
You’ll discover more than 300 animals at the Zoo de Maubeuge, including elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, hippos, panthers, zebras and kangaroos. Spread out over seven hectares, it is open every day of the year, with an entry fee of €13.50 for and €8 for kids. There’s also a zoo in Lille.
DONKEY SANCTUARY
Celebrate all things asinine at La Z’Ane Attitude donkey sanctuary in Frelinghien. As well as donkey rides, there are donkey orientation classes, donkey therapy and Ane’niversaire tea parties… get it?
MONUMENT
The stunning 1932 Modemist mansion Villa Cavrois in Croix, between Lille and Roubaix, was designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens. After the Cavrois family left in the 1980s, it was ransacked and occupied by squatters. Nowadays the building and surrounding gardens have been beautifully. restored and are open to the public.
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BOTANICAL PARKS
One of 11 national botanical conservatories across France, this site, near Bailleul, is serious about plant science. Set across 25ha, it includes a seed bank, a library and intriguing gardens, Open Monday to Friday (www.cbnbl.org). In Cassel you’ll find the Jardin du mont des Récollets, based on the Flemish style. Open late March to early November.
From France Today Magazine
Lead photo credit : Fêtes de Gayant à Douai
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