Centre Travel

Located on a former pit head, the biggest mining museum in France retraces 300 years of mining history. Your guides, former miners, will take you on a tour of the coal face and through the 450 metres of underground tunnels. Centre Historique Minier Fosse Delloye, Lewards (near Douai) Tel:   00 33 (0)3 27 95 82 82 Email:  contact@chm-lewarde.com Web:    www.chm-lewarde.com

This former hospital was established in 1217 and has been added to over the centuries.  It is a rare examplenof Lille architecture - a kind of homely Flemish house on a monumental scale. Collections of works by Flemish, Dutch and Northern  French artists enhance its appeal Hospice Comtesse Museum 32, Rue de la Monnaie, Lille T:   00 33 (0)3 28 36 84 00.

Located on the site of the former art deco swimming pool, the museum includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, textiles, fashion, design and ceramics. Le Combat de Coqs by Remy Cogghe, La petite Chatelaine by Camille Claudel and l'Ours by Francois Pompon  are just a few of the delightful pieces on show. La Piscine Musee' de l'esperance, Roubaix T:   00 33 (0)3 20 69 23 60 Email:   lapiscine.musee@ville-roubaix.fr Web:    www.roubaix-lapiscine.com

Pretty walled town with cobbled streets and superb views from the town's ramparts, where Victor Hugo was inspired to write ' Les Miserables' Every summer a ' Les Miserables' sound and light show featuring over 200 local amateur actors draws thousands of visitors. Francophiles will also enjoy the intimate summer theatre, 'Les Mains Plaisers', and short plays and operettas by famous  French playwrights such as Beaumarchais and Moliere. Montreuil Tourist Office 21 rue Carnot, Montreuil T:   00 33 (0)3 21 06 04 27 Email:   accueil@tourisme-montreuillois.com Web:   www.tourisme-montreuillois.com                                          

Villeneuve d' Ascq is a new town, an amalgamation of the three communes of Ascq, Annappes and technological development has not been at the expense of the environment, and the town has many green, open spaces. Villeneuve d' Ascq Tourist Oice Chemin du Chat Botte' T: 00 33 (0)3 20 43 55 75 E: ot@villeneuveascq-tourisme.eu www.villeneuvedascq-tourisme.eud

Villeneuve d' Ascq is a new town, an amalgamation of the three communes of Ascq, Annappes and technological development has not been at the expense of the environment, and the town has many green, open spaces. Villeneuve d' Ascq Tourist Oice Chemin du Chat Botte' T: 00 33 (0)3 20 43 55 75 E: ot@villeneuveascq-tourisme.eu www.villeneuvedascq-tourisme.eud

City of Art and History, elegant, sophisticated and vibrant, the capital of French Flanders has a proud heritage. Many battles were fought to control Lille, which specialised in textiles and was strategically located at the crossroads of major trading routes. In 1667, Louis XIV conquered the city and it passed from the Spanish Netherlands to France. The lovely 17 th and 18 th century buildings and monuments of the old city have been carefully restored creating a judicious blend of past and present. Lille is also renowned for its shopping and culture: the Fine Arts Museum here has an impressive collection and the many stores of Lille have a rich diversity of goods, from designer labels and modern shopping malls to unusual boutiques and flea markets.

City of Art and History, elegant, sophisticated and vibrant, the capital of French Flanders has a proud heritage. Many battles were fought to control Lille, which specialised in textiles and was strategically located at the crossroads of major trading routes. In 1667, Louis XIV conquered the city and it passed from the Spanish Netherlands to France. The lovely 17 th and 18 th century buildings and monuments of the old city have been carefully restored creating a judicious blend of past and present. Lille is also renowned for its shopping and culture: the Fine Arts Museum here has an impressive collection and the many stores of Lille have a rich diversity of goods, from designer labels and modern shopping malls to unusual boutiques and flea markets.

Vauban's city fort by the sea. Graveline's military and architectural heritage has been completely restored. Gravelines Tourist Office 11, rue de la Republique , Gravelines Tel : 00 33 (0)3 28 51 94 00 E: gravelines.cote.opale@wanadoo.fr

Vauban's city fort by the sea. Graveline's military and architectural heritage has been completely restored. Gravelines Tourist Office 11, rue de la Republique , Gravelines Tel : 00 33 (0)3 28 51 94 00 E: gravelines.cote.opale@wanadoo.fr

Belfries, the pride of the Nord -Pas - de - Calais The region's belfries formerly employed as watchtowers, are the proud symbols of the power might and independence of the towns and cities. On July 15 th 2006, 17 belfries in the Nord - Pas - de - Calais were granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit them in Aire sur la Lys Armentieres , Arras, Ballieul , Bergues , Bethune, Boulogne - sur - Mer , Calais, Cambrai , Comines , Douai , Dunkerque ( church and town hall ), Gravelines , Heisden , Lille and Loos.

Belfries, the pride of the Nord -Pas - de - Calais The region's belfries formerly employed as watchtowers, are the proud symbols of the power might and independence of the towns and cities. On July 15 th 2006, 17 belfries in the Nord - Pas - de - Calais were granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit them in Aire sur la Lys Armentieres , Arras, Ballieul , Bergues , Bethune, Boulogne - sur - Mer , Calais, Cambrai , Comines , Douai , Dunkerque ( church and town hall ), Gravelines , Heisden , Lille and Loos.

The rural areas known as Les 7 Vallees and le Ternois share a history of Spanish invasion led by Charles V. The famous battle of Azincourt took place between Hesdin and St. Pol. Today, the area is largely agricultural. www.realfrancerealclose.fr

The rural areas known as Les 7 Vallees and le Ternois share a history of Spanish invasion led by Charles V. The famous battle of Azincourt took place between Hesdin and St. Pol. Today, the area is largely agricultural. www.realfrancerealclose.fr