Nord-Pas-de-Calais
From the CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
The Nord-Pas-de-Calais is the nordest region of France, constitued by the French Flanders, the Artois, the French Hainaut and the Opale Coast. Nowadays, the Nord-Pas-de-Calais is an attractive area in Europe, making a crossroad between Paris, London, Brussels and even Amsterdam and Cologne. If you come firstly in the region, you will mainly see that:
"The People of the North of France have in the Heart the Sun they don't have in the Sky ..."
The Main CS Cities of the Region
Lille
The Main City of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais is the most active CS community of the Region, constituated by more than 650 couch surfers, always ready to host someone. In this city, you will enjoy the ambiance of the second biggest student city in France after Paris, with his street full of people, full of bars, pubs and dancing clubs. You will enjoy the nice classical and modern architecture of the different parts of the city.
To have more information about Lille, you can check the CS wiki page of Lille and the CS group of Lille.
Dunkerque
Dunkerque is one of the nordest french city, situated in the corner between the Belgian Border and the North Sea. Dunkerque is an active CS city especially its annual events like the Carnaval which happen during 3 months from January to March. You will enjoy this harbour-city, doing harmonious the mix between its classical city-center and its front of the sea.
To have more information about Dunkerque, you can check the CS wiki page of Dunkerque and the CS group of Dunkerque.
Arras
Arras is not a big city (about 50000 people live there), but it seems to be the most beautiful city of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. It city-center is a mix of the flamish and the classical style. You will enjoy the beauty of its two big squares and its City Hall. There are some CS meetings in Arras, especially during its annual events like the Main Square Festival on beginning of July, with the concerts of some of the most famous bands in the World.
To have more information about Arras, you can check the CS wiki page of Arras and the CS group of Arras.
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a nice city, with its new tramway, it makes the city much better with less cars in the city-center. You will enjoy the modern and the classical city-center. There are some CS meetings in this city.
To have more information about Valenciennes, you can check the CS wiki page of Valenciennes and the CS group of Valenciennes.
Boulogne
Boulogne is one of the most biggest habour in France, a former industrial area, changing to a very nice touristical area. You will enjoy the old city, in the top of a hill, the beach, the nautical center called "Nausicaa" and its nice CS community which organise sometime some CS meetings.
To have more information about Boulogne, you can check the CS wiki page of Boulogne and the CS group of Boulogne.
Calais
Calais is nowadays known as the city of the Eurotunnel which can reach you England by car or by train from France. The city is situated almost on the corner, making the border between the North Sea and the Channel. The CS community is increasing in this city and some CS events has to be come in the near future.
To have more information about Calais, you can check the CS wiki page of Calais and the CS group of Calais.
Couch Surfing in the Region
The CS Activity in the Region
The CS activity is nowadays concentrated mostly in Lille where there are often some CS events like the CS Monthly meetings happening the first Tuesday of each months, and other kind of meetings like some Quizz, concerts ... There were already some CS meetings in Valenciennes, Dunkerque (for the Carnaval), Arras and Boulogne.
If you don't want to miss a CS meetings in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, check at the CS Calendar!
From the April 30th to the May 4th, there will be a great CS 4-days hiking meeting making us start in Dunkerque, crossing Calais, Boulogne and Le Touquet / Berck. Check here if you want to have more informations about this CS meeting and don't hesitate to join us!
Regional Contacts on CS
Here are some active Couchsurfers in each cities of the Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais, just contact them if you need urgently a couch, some informations about their city or if you would like to have a meet for a coffee or a drink:
Lille
Antoine CS City Ambassador of Lille
Jeremy CS City Ambassador of Lille
Delphine CS Volunteer
Jerome Moderator of the CS Group of Lille
Siavauch
Julie
In the suburb of Lille, Gregoire is always ready to host some people in Lambersart.
Dunkerque
Caroline Moderator of the CS Group of Dunkerque
Xavier
Valenciennes
Manu Moderator of the CS Group of Valenciennes
Julien
Romain
In the Suburb of Valenciennes, in Aniche, Franck and Adeline are always ready to host some people.
Arras
Boulogne
Christine
Celine
Gonzague
Sophie Moderator of the CS Group of Boulogne (currently live in London, but she can inform you about the city !)
Calais
Jonathan Moderator of the CS Groups of Calais
Benoit
Douai
Niss Moderator of the CS Group of Douai
Audrey Moderator of the CS Group of Douai
What to visit in the Region
Places to see
The Belffry of each cities
The 2 Cap National Park
Lewarde, the historical-industrial museum
Nausicaa
The Main Events
The Braderie de Lille
The Main Square Festival of Arras
The Carnaval of Dunkerque
Fête de Gayant in Douai
The Ambiance of the Stade Bollaert in Lens
