The Nord-Pas de Calais area is not yet considered to be 'real in France', because they have the same weather as ours in the Netherlands, and it is still fairly flat there. But this area also has its advantages; it is near the sea, there is a lot of history, there is a lot of fish on the menu and it is easy to do in a weekend. So just try it.

This is the second of two surprising trips close to home, both of which can also be used as approach routes, or as part of a trip further south.

The approach route for both routes is via the highway from Ghent if you want to hurry up, but there are also better alternatives on the nicer N and D roads, I have included these in the original routes.

It is a bit of a mixture of Flanders and France, we come across mills and canals, but also rugged coasts and fortified cities. Along these tours you will also find traces and memories from the Second World War everywhere.

We start where the previous route ended, in Wissant, and continue on a beautiful motorcycle road until the exit for Cap Gris-Nez (Cape Gray Nose). Indeed, the rocks are a lot darker here and are still being helped by the bunkers that are still there. You can imagine that people dare to swim across the Channel. England seems very close. At RP5 you can visit the Cap Gris Nez Fort, the surrounding bunker and enjoy the view.

We continue on the D940 via Audresselles and Wimereux to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Along the way you will pass Pointe aux Oies (RP7), definitely worth a walk to the beach and enjoy the beautiful view. In clear weather you can see white Cliffs from Dover.

The next stop is in Boulogne-sur-Mer, this large town of nearly 100,000 inhabitants is one of the largest fishing ports in Europe and its history dates back to Roman times. Boulogne owns a magnificent 'National Center for Ia mer', the national maritime center at RP8, where no effort has been spared to introduce you to all facets of ocean life. It is the largest public aquarium in Europe. You can also stroll along the city walls, the terraces and along the monuments.

We drive via Equihen and go through the greenery to Hardelot-Plage. This place is spacious and has many beautiful old houses. A lot of chic from Paris used to stay here. Hardelot is as spacious and green as it is today, but Hardelot has certainly retained some grandeur of the past. If you don't want to go through this place, stay on the D119.

The route then dives into the interior. We avoid the new D308 (to the highway) and drive straight through Neufchatel-Hardelot (RP17), you then arrive on a beautiful, fast D215 over hills, through forests and the town of Samer (RP18) and along Desvres. The original route runs from Desvres via the almost straight D341 to Lumbres, so we don't do this! We drive through a detour through the Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d'Opale, much nicer roads with nice curves and beautiful surroundings.

At RP23 we return to the original route and after about 6 kilometers you take the exit to the left towards Lumbres. This will take you through the valley of the river Aa and you will drive via Lumbres and Longuenesse to St. Omer.

St. Omer (RP28) is a very nice place for a stop, a walk, a pinch of culture and possibly a meal, because it is full of restaurants and cafés along the old cobblestones.

In stark contrast to the tranquility and the old stones of St. Omer is the cold technique of the bunker 'd'Helfaut-wizernes', 3.5 kilometers south of the city at RP31. Here is a museum La Coupole about the early rocket technology of the V1 and V2, which eventually led to the first moon landing in 1969.

Argues is stuck to St. Omer and owns a boat lift called I'ascenseur à bateaux des Fontinettes (RP35). This is a fine example of technology from the last century. Instead of having to use five locks, the ships were able to bridge more than 13 meters of level difference in one go. This lift was in use from 1888 to 1967 and has now been replaced by a giant lock 500 meters away. Pay attention here because Here and Tom Tom do not agree with each other how to drive back to the route through the narrow streets.

We continue to Cassel, the end point of this route. Just before the top of the hill on which it lies, you will be treated to a fantastic series of turns.

Because of its beautiful roads through a beautiful area with a lot of history and the possibilities to visit sights, this ride is worth 5 ***** stars.