Situated high above the flat plain of northern Picardy, is the medieval city of Laon, known as the ‘Montagne Couronnée’ (the Crowned City).  It sits isolated atop a 100m high limestone rock, surrounded by the low, flat plains below.  The high town, encircled by 8 kms of walls and formidable gates, is France’s largest protected historic centre.  The town’s crowning glory is the early 12^th century Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Laon, visible for kilometres in every direction.  It’s one of the earliest and greatest Gothic monuments in France.

The City of Lille in the north of France is one of the loveliest in the country.  Although largely unknown outside France, Lille has so much to captivate the visitor.  From a beautiful historic quarter, much of which is pedestrianised, to great food, excellent shopping possibilities, and an enormous number of cultural attractions.  Two of these are Art Deco gems, located outside the city in the suburbs of Roubaix and Croix, just a quick metro or tram ride from the city centre.

Capital of the Hautes-de-France region, Lille may be France’s most underrated city.  Recent decades have seen the country’s 4^th largest city transform from an industrial powerhouse into a vibrant and highly attractive cultural and commercial hub.  Lille offers a beautiful old town with magnificent French and Flemish architecture, renowned art museums, a wide variety of great shops, outstanding cuisine, and a lively atmosphere thanks to a large population of university students and some 1600 designers in its environs.  High speed direct trains from Paris and Brussels and 1½ hrs on Eurostar from London, makes Lille an easy choice for inclusion in a European itinerary.