An insider’s guide to Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardy in northern France, including the main attractions to visit on holiday, the best towns and villages to live in, the major festivals and events, and buying property in Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardy

If you are thinking of moving to or buying a property in Lille or any other part of Nord, here are some key things to know about life in the northern department

You don’t have to travel far at all from the Channel ferry ports to find your dream French property. These lovely homes are within an hour’s drive of Calais, Dieppe, Le Havre, Caen, Cherbourg, St-Malo or Roscoff.

France has beautiful villages and remarkable gardens in abundance, but which beautiful French villages also have remarkable gardens? Ruth Wood presents a magnificent seven

There’s a spectacular new French tourist attraction to add to your list – The Calais Dragon has caused a stir parading though the northern town and will soon be offering tours