Departement Nord hotels - Book hotels in France at great rates

The Département Nord is the most densely populated in the whole of France and is, as the name suggests, in the north of the country. The main city of Lille is the centre of an industrial conurbation that covers a large area. The Place du Théâtre is dominated by the Flemish renaissance style New Stock Exchange, whilst in the Jesuit church the chancel is of great note.

The citadel is one of the many fortifications to be found throughout France that were constructed by Vauban. The Hospice Comtesse houses a fascinating museum of arts and crafts and on the Place de la Liberté there is a further famous museum with works of Monet, Rubens and Renoir on exhibition. The fully automatic metro system makes getting around in Lille easy.

Roubaix was once the centre of textile manufcturing in northern France and the stately buildings in the town bear witness to this prosperous past with the gothic church of St. Martin. The Parc de Barbieux has many relaxing walks and in a former swimming pool it is possible to visit the Musée d`Art et d`Industrie to learn something of the former textile maufacturing activities of the region. As long ago as the 15th Century the weaving of cambric, (named after the town), was carried out in Cambrai. To learn more about the history of the region you should make a visit to the Municipal Museum. The motorways A 1 and A 22 serve the area.

Population: 2 583 500 (2006)

Main towns: Lille, Roubaix, Cambrai