North East France

This region of France includes Alsace, Nord Pas de Calais, Champagne Ardenne, Franche-Comté, Picardie and Lorraine.

Alsace

• German influence in language, architecture and cuisine, due to border location & history
• Picturesque canalside villages with flower-covered half-timbered houses
• Canoeing, boat hire, fishing, golf, paragliding, hang-gliding, flying clubs, hiking, cycling. Skiing in winter with tuition available
• Wine route through medieval villages; fairs, markets, music and flower festivals, theme parks
• Main cities Strasbourg and Mulhouse
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Champagne Ardenne

• World renowned champagne houses and cellars in Reims, Epernay and many other towns and villages; vineyards stretching for miles
• Easy access from northern ports; close enough to Paris for a day trip
• Picturesque historical cities of Reims and Troyes with cathedrals, museums, medieval architecture
• Spectacular scenery with lakes, rivers, canals, forests, nature preserves and parks with flourishing wildlife
• Fishing, bathing, sailing, canoeing, yachting, hiking and biking
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Franche-Comté

• Little explored region with rustic feel and a Swiss flavour to architecture, culture and cuisine
• Beautiful, unspoiled scenery of rolling fields and dense forests
• Jura mountains are a mecca for nature lovers and winter sports fans
• Charming wine villages and towns with many museums and historical landmarks
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Lorraine

• Strong Germanic influence due to its location and history; main cities Metz and Nancy
• Popular with nature lovers and hikers with meandering rivers, rolling hills and wooded valleys
• Rich farming country with delightful medieval towns and villages, crystal houses, fine arts and art nouveau museums
• Historical World War I and II sites, especially Verdun
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Nord Pas de Calais

• Easy access from UK; home of Channel ports and the Channel tunnel
• Diverse landscape from sandy beaches with dramatic cliffs and views to gentle rolling hills and timeless pastoral areas with canals, rivers, nature reserve parks
• Interesting towns including Calais and Lille with museums, markets, festivals
• Flemish influence to region, reflected in locally-brewed beer
• Battlefield sites including Flanders Fields
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Picardie

• Little explored region; best-known resort is smart Le Touquet
• Home of Gothic architecture with imposing cathedrals, abbeys and castles
• Long sandy beaches, great forests, pastures and woodland; rustic countryside with simple lifestyles
• Easy access to Channel ports and to Paris by train and road
• Rich history with prehistoric sites, Gallo-roman remains and famous World War I and II battlefields, especially the Somme
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