Nord Pas de Calais Attractions  This area of France gets rushed past by hordes heading south, but has some gems that can be enjoyed both  for a holiday close to home, as well as day trips to experience French culture rather than having a booze cruise!  Plan a day trip well and there will be time not only to stock up on wine and spirits, but also to visit a local attraction such as Nausicaa or La Coupole and then top the day off with a meal in a French restaurant!

Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez:

Location: On the D940 between Calais and Boulogne.
General Info: Parking is available at both headlands.
Description: These two headlands offer spectacular views across the channel and up and down the Opal Coast.  On clear days The White Cliffs of Dover seem no distance away at all.  It is possible to walk along the coastal paths from the car-parks located at both headlands, and observe the birdlife as well as the former defensive buildings from WW2.
Our recommendations: Bring a kite and take advantage when it is breezy!  On a recent visit to France we drove to Cap Blanc-Nez and enjoyed a very pleasant walk southwards along the cliff top before carrying on (on foot) to the Restaurant du Cap in Escalles for a most enjoyable lunch.  A walk back to the car will certainly help restore your centre of gravity!  Or one of the fitter members of your party could be sent back for the car.
For the Children: At Cap Gris-Nez you can scramble down the cliffs to the beach below (manageable - but not with a buggy!) and while away an hour or two among the rocks and rock pools or digging in the sand.

     - We are still looking for good ones....so far we have only found booze cruise sites and ferry sites (the latter can be found elsewhere on this site).  If you have any good suggestions, please let us know.