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Nord Property guide
is a department of Nord-Pas-De-Calais a “région” in the North of France. It is bounded to the north by the Channel and to the south by Picardie.
Geography
Nord is part of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, surrounded by the French departments of Pas-de-Calais and Aisne is the most populated department of France.
Located in the north of the country along the Belgian frontier, it’s unique by its unusually long and narrow shape.
Its principal cities are: Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing and Villeneuve d'Ascq and other important cities are Valenciennes, Douai, and Dunkerque.
The region is crossed by 5 main rivers: Yser, Lys, Escaut, Scarpe and Sambre.
Towns
Lille, the fourth largest metropolis in France with a population of more than a million, it is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region. There are several museums such as The Palais des Beaux-Arts which is considered to be the second largest general-interest museum in France. The town has many monuments, historic sites, and gardens. However from its rich merchant past, Lille has retained as well a real commercial tradition, its hops can satisfy every desire.
Roubaix, which is situated close Lille has more than 150 designer manufacturer and factories and an unusual La Piscine Museum.(Art Deco swimming pool).
Culture
The department hosts many festivals and events around the year. In Lille, the most popular is the “braderie de Lille” (in the beginning of September) which dating back to medieval times. The citizens of Lille set up shop on the street and flog their unwanted possessions in a jumble sale of epic proportions. During this time, all the restaurants compete to sell the mose portions of “moules frites”.
The second most popular festival is Carnaval of Dunkerque which takes place in late February to early March and include concerts, dances and a traditional carnival parade.
Gastronomy
Northern cheese trays all include Maroilles, created by local monks and ther specialties are Tome de Cambrai and Vieux Lille.
The coast is a fish-lover's paradise and every village boasts a fish market with the freshest catch of turbot, scrod, sea bass, eel (often smoked), herring, mackerel, scallops and mussels. A standard item on local menus is a stew of mussels and leeks, a tasty fish soup that derives from Flemish cuisine.
Another famous dish with Flemish touch is pot-au-feu, mostly with boiled beef, onions and beer.
The farmers of Nord and Pas de Calais cultivate hops, the crucial ingredient in beer, which is the favourite regional drink.
Useful information:
Tourism office in Nord:
www.francetourism.com
Maps of Nord:
www.ign.fr
www.viamichelin.com
Travel from the UK
By Ferry: Ferries navigate to Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer.
By Rail : Eurostar go to Calais and Lille.
Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Nord. We have a large network of partners in Nord. All of them are registered French real estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: farmhouse, longere, barn, gite, B&B, country house, mill, castle or chateau, we will do our best to find a property in Nord matching your requirements.
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