Hauts-de-France is northern France's dynamic region, forged from the historic provinces of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. It is a land of soaring Gothic cathedrals, poignant WWI memorials, vibrant Flemish culture, and a rugged coastline along the Côte d'Opale. Lille, the cosmopolitan capital, anchors a region of surprising contrasts — from the underground citadels of Arras to the vast sandy beaches of Dunkirk and Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Hauts-de-France has outstanding rail connectivity. Lille sits at the junction of the Paris–London and Paris–Brussels TGV/Eurostar lines, making it one of northern Europe's most connected cities. Within the region, TER trains connect Amiens, Arras, Lens, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais, and Dunkirk. A hire car is recommended for WWI battlefield sites and the Côte d'Opale coastline. Lille itself has a fully automated metro system.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy rail tickets at least 2 weeks ahead on the SNCF Connect app or sncf-connect.com for best fares (OuiGo tickets from €10 / ~$11)
The Ilévia day pass (€5.50 / ~$5.94) covers unlimited travel across Lille's metro, trams, and buses
Car hire in Lille is available at both Lille Europe and Lille Flandres stations — book via rentalcars.com or europcar.fr
The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) for vehicles departs from Coquelles, Calais; book at eurotunnel.com — from £35 / ~$44 one-way
A hire car from Arras or Amiens is the most practical way to visit multiple WWI battlefield sites in a day