This region of France is the most visited by British golfers. There have been golf courses in the region for over 100 years and the area now boasts more than 11 excellent courses within easy reach of the Channel crossing.

Boulogne-sur-Mer is France's largest fishing port and much of the local industry is given over to fish processing and distribution. Visit the old town, though it's a bit 'touristy', a walk around the ramparts affords extensive views over surrounding sea and landscapes. The town has some of the most beautiful public gardens and roadside planting to be seen anywhere, particularly in the summer months.

An old view of the course at Hardelot

'Char-a-Voile' at Le Touquet

Further down the coast Le Touquet has huge, beautifully clean, sandy beaches which are ideal for children and where you can see
'Char-a-voile' sail-cart racing, kite flying etc etc..

Le Touquet is packed with good value restaurants and shops and, despite the large number of visitors, both French and British, has lost none of its Gallic charm.

Fish and locally grown vegetables are ecellent value and combined with regional cheeses and local specialties appear on most restaurant menus.

Shopping at in and around Boulogne

Cite de Europe, next to the Eurotunnel station, is a shopping centre on two levels with a huge supermarket (Carrefour) and other smaller shops and restaurants. Cite is an ecellent place to buy wines and beers before joining your Eurotunnel crossing.

Just outside Boulogne is a large 'Auchan' supermarket, fewer british visitors here but with a really good range of french goods.

A new 'designer outlet' store has recently opened.

Etaples is a working fishing port at the mouth of the river Canche. Its fishermen run a co-operative with a fish market and a fish restaurant in the little town - both are highly recommended.

The Pas de Calais is not a wine growing area but it's proximity to Flanders, and Belgium makes it 'beer-drinking' country and there is a wide range of local brews in the supermarkets