It lies directly on the English Channel (the narrowest point of the Channel/Strait of Dover) and borders Belgium, the Nord region, the Somme region, and the sea.
Capital: Arras
Coastal nicknames: Opal Coast (Côte d’Opale) – known for impressive chalk cliffs (Cap Blanc-Nez, Cap Gris-Nez), wide sandy beaches, dunes, and charming seaside resorts such as Le Touquet, Wimereux, Hardelot, and Berck-sur-Mer.
Inland: Green landscape with valleys, picturesque villages, fortified towns (e.g., Montreuil-sur-Mer), marshland around Saint-Omer, and a wealth of WWI history (Vimy Ridge, Canadian monuments, battlefields).
Culture & Sights: Louvre-Lens (a branch of the Louvre), belfries (UNESCO), mining history, beer & regional dishes (Maroilles cheese, endive, carbonnade flamande).
Accessibility: Very close to the Netherlands/Belgium (via Calais, Dunkirk, or the Channel Tunnel), popular for short trips, beach holidays, and cultural weekends.
In short: a surprisingly diverse department with sea, cliffs, nature, history (especially the First World War), and a delightful French down-to-earth atmosphere – ideal for those looking for "France close to home."
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