2023 will see a host of new openings and new experiences for visitors to the Hauts-de France region, with plenty on offer for foodies, families and sports fans to enjoy.  From fabulous gourmet experiences as the 2023 European Region of Gastronomy, to riveting rugby matches as a Rugby World Cup match host, including Le Touquet-Paris-Plage being the base for the England team, there are also fantastic new attractions at Parc Asterix and Nausicaa aquarium and new hotels and restaurants opening their doors.

Selected as one of National Geographic's Best of the World Destinations for 2023, France's northernmost region is the UK's closest international self-drive destination offering a truly authentic French experience on our doorstep.  With a wonderful choice of beaches, fascinating cities and towns, endless gourmet experiences, historical tours and beautiful gardens, there's never been a better time to explore this part of France.

Gourmet Treats – Region of Gastronomy for 2023

Foodies have got even more reason to travel to Hauts-de-France in 2023 with the region being awarded the official European Region of Gastronomy - the first time that any French region has held the title.  Local producers, artisans and chefs will be showcasing their talents with activities and events including workshops, food tours and festivals as part of this year long celebration.  The region's vibrant food scene will be at the forefront with its rich choice of seasonal produce and specialities focusing on sustainability and farm to fork cuisine.

Visit markets galore offering the riches of the region's local produce from fabulous cheese (more than 30 made in the region), fresh meats and charcuterie, to endives, cauliflowers and potatoes.  As home to France's biggest fishing port – Boulogne-Sur-Mer – there is also a superb array of fresh fish and seafood available with more than 70 different species on offer.

Some of the world's finest champagne can be found in Hauts-de-France, with around 10 per cent of all French champagne being produced in Aisne, where the 'Champagne Route' offers enthusiasts plenty of opportunities for sampling and buying. Over half of France's breweries are located in the region, with a huge variety of different types of beer on offer.   Whilst some of the better-known lagers and ales include Brasserie Saint-Germain, Brasserie Goudale and Brasserie Castelain, more recently, there's been a growing trend of microbreweries opening.

Top chefs in the region are renowned for their cutting-edge cuisine served in Michelin-starred restaurants.  In Saint-Omer, Camille Delcroix, the winner of a series of Top Chef France, serves dishes using local produce from the Audomarois Marshes in his restaurant Bacove, whilst at the newly renovated Chateau de Beaulieu, the talents of Christophe Dufosse have already been rewarded with a Michelin star for his focus on organic food, self-sufficient and sustainable cooking.

In Montreuil-Sur-Mer, renowned Michelin starred chef Alexandre Gauthier runs four innovative restaurants in town with a new restaurant on the seafront in Merlimont due to open in 2023.  The region's other top chefs include young Michelin chef Sebastien Tantôt at the A La Bonne Idée restaurant in St Jean aux Bois in Compiègne Forest, Anthony Denon, chef of l'Auberge du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly and Florent Ladeyn whose focus is very much on local Flemish produce at his Michelin starred restaurant Le Vertmont in French Flanders.

Fabulous culinary experiences from cookery classes with top chefs to cheese making farms and from award winning breweries to sampling sugary waffles and whipped Chantilly cream, are just some of the rich culinary offerings available.

The Rugby World Cup Comes to Hauts-de-France

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will take place at 9 venues across France from September to October 2023.  As one of the participating cities, Lille will host several matches including England v Chile on 23rd September, England v Samoa on 7th October and Scotland v Romania on 30th September.  What's more, the Hauts-de-France region has been selected as the England team's base camp with Le Touquet-Paris-Plage's wide sandy beaches and dunes providing the perfect location for the team.  With strong ties between England and Le Touquet dating back to the creation of this most 'British' French sea resort developed by Englishman John Whitley in the early 20th century, the England squad will feel right at home at their base. Visitors heading to the region for the rugby can extend their stay and will enjoy the craft beer produced locally, the excellent golf courses, fabulous food as well as rich remembrance history.

Attractions:

France's Tallest and Fastest Roller Coaster Opening at Parc Asterix:

Parc Asterix will open France's tallest and fastest roller coaster, Toutatis, in 2023.  With a top speed of 110 km per hour and at 51 m high, it will bring more thrills and excitement to the hugely popular theme park. The roller coaster is part of a new zone called, "Festival Toutatis" in Gaul and offer thrill seekers some unique special effects with a world record 23 air times and a European record of four magnetic launches. There will also be a family attraction "Chez Gyrofolix" based on hypnotic visual effects, and a playground for little ones ensuring a fun-filled, themed experience for guests amongst the characters from the well-known comic books. 

New Virtual Reality Experience at Nausicaa

Nausicaa Aquarium is the biggest aquarium in Europe housing over 60,000 creatures made up of 16,000 different species including grey reef sharks, manta rays, ocean sunfish, schools of colourful coral reef fish, sea lions, penguins and giant tortoises.  'Grand Large' is a new immersive virtual reality experience at Nausicaa which showcases the creatures and surroundings of the little-known high seas. Wearing a pair of Microsoft HoloLens 2 smart glasses, visitors are plunged into a different dimension to experience this immersive, sensorial and spectacular experience with leatherback turtles, whales and giant jelly fish some of the wonderful creatures to discover along the way.

New Les Misérables sound and light show in Montreuil Sur Mer

Every summer, visitors to the enchanting medieval town of Montreuil-sur-Mer, whose narrow cobbled medieval streets were the inspiration for several locations in Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables, are mesmerised by a themed outdoor sound and light show, set in the citadel which Hugo explored.  Performed by a cast of hundreds, this must-see for fans of the musical is being relaunched in a new format in the summer of 2023.

New Hotels

Radisson Blu Grand Hotel & Spa, Dunkirk/Malo Les Bains

The Radisson Blu Grand Hotel & Spa in Dunkirk is a new hotel with direct access to the Malo-les-Bains beach.  Built on the seafront over four floors, this retro style hotel is part of a more extensive upgrade to the lively seafront area in Dunkirk.  A spa and wellness area are part of the new development with a swimming pool, spa, hammam, sauna and a large outdoor terrace.  The promenade is lined with restaurants and beach huts offering the perfect beach escape and a kids club at the hotel ensures everyone is catered for.

Domaine de la Petite Foret – Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

A new resort on the outskirts of Le Touquet, near the soon to be renamed Elizabeth II airport recently opened.  Set in the heart of forest but close to the sea and sand dunes, the new Domaine de la Petite Foret, is an Accor hotel complex offering 2 restaurants, bars, 2 swimming pools and a spa as well as 3 new hotels to suit different styles and budgets.  Guests can choose from rooms at the 4 star Mercure, the 4 star Tribe or the 3 star Ibis Styles.

Hotel L'Echapee en Baie

In the heart of Saint Valery Sur Somme is the new L'Echapee En Baie, a boutique hotel offering contemporary comfortable rooms and suites as well as a bar, library and pretty terrace.  With just 13 well equipped rooms and suites, it's the perfect spot to discover all this beautiful region offers. 

Chateau de Beaulieu

Chef Christophe Dufossé and his wife Delphine took over the Chateau de Beaulieu estate in Busnes (just an hour's drive from Calais) and undertook an ambitious project to bring new life to the estate.  The Chateau was re-opened in August 2021 with the restaurant awarded a Michelin star 7 months later and in May 2022, the property was awarded a 5th star. 

Their ethos is centred around nature, ecology, and well-being.  In the extensive grounds, developments under the new owners include a vegetable garden, citrus greenhouse, a small farmhouse with farmyard animals, an orchard and aromatic garden – all providing fresh ingredients for the 2 restaurants (the chef's dining room and a country style brasserie).  Inside, the restaurant, bar, kitchen and reception were also completely renovated with a newly awarded Michelin star.

The guest rooms have all been given a warmer, more welcoming and contemporary feel as well as 5 new bedrooms in a wing which was completed in August 2022 with a pool and spa coming soon.

Hotel Le Picardy

The recently re-opened art deco style Le Picardy hotel in Saint-Quentin offers the perfect combination of old and new.  Still maintaining its history, it has been renovated in a contemporary style centred around a glass atrium.  With just 27 comfortable spacious rooms, the hotel also offers a fabulous restaurant “Le 1920” run by chef Samuel Albert, the winner of France's Top Chef in 2019.

To find out more and to plan a visit to Hauts-de-France, visit Hauts-de-France Tourism – Official Website (hautsdefrancetourism.com)

For further ideas on accommodation in Hauts-de-France, visit www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk

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For further media information, please contact: ukpress@hautsdefrancetourisme.com 

Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or Nicole Walsh on 07771 554027

About Hauts-de-France:

Hauts-de-France, France's northernmost region, is the UK's closest international self-drive destination offering a truly authentic French experience on our doorstep.  From gourmet breaks, wellness escapes, historical tours and golf courses to walking holidays, beautiful gardens, beaches and fascinating cities and towns, the region offers a huge choice of activities, experiences, and options for all different types of holidays.

With a choice of rail and self-drive options available, travel to the area is environmentally friendly and a low carbon choice.   Accommodation ranges from stunning châteaux to family run gites, treehouses, roulottes (old gypsy style caravans), boutique bed and breakfast, small hotels and characterful holiday cottages.

Made up of 5 departments, Hauts-de-France was formed in 2016 when Nord-Pas-de-Calais was merged with Picardy and includes the area from Pas-de-Calais and Nord in the North down to the Somme, Aisne and Oise.