Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to Boulogne and Arras: Day trip

Explore Boulogne-sur-Mer's historic Upper Town (Haute Ville), completely surrounded by the best-preserved medieval ramparts in northern France with 13th-century walls that have protected the city for over 700 years. Walk the cobblestone streets to discover the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica with its distinctive dome visible from the English Channel, and climb the medieval belfry for panoramic views over the busy port and the white cliffs of Dover on clear days. Visit Nausicaá, one of Europe's largest and most innovative aquariums, featuring over 58,000 marine animals including sharks, rays, and tropical fish in massive tanks that recreate ocean ecosystems from around the world. Stroll through the bustling fish market and harbor area to experience the city's authentic maritime traditions dating back to Roman times when this was Gesoriacum, the main port for Britain. Don't miss the chateau-museum with its fascinating Egyptian collections, medieval artifacts, and local history exhibits that tell the story of this strategic port that has connected France to England for over two millennia. The city's unique position as a gateway between two nations has created a distinctive Franco-English culture worth exploring through its restaurants serving fresh Channel seafood and regional specialties.

Discover Arras' magnificent Grand'Place and Place des Héros, two of Europe's most beautiful squares lined with 155 distinctive Flemish baroque facades featuring stepped gables and ornate stonework that create a harmonious architectural ensemble unrivaled in France. Climb the Gothic town hall's UNESCO-listed belfry, rising 75 meters above the squares, for stunning panoramic views over the city's red-tiled roofs and the surrounding Artois countryside. Explore the fascinating underground tunnels (Les Boves) that honeycomb the city beneath the squares. Medieval chalk quarries that have sheltered residents for centuries, from storage during the Middle Ages to air raid shelters during both World Wars. Visit the Wellington Quarry Memorial to learn about the Battle of Arras and the extensive 20-kilometer tunnel network used by British, Canadian, and New Zealand forces during WWI's underground warfare. Walk through the historic city center discovering art galleries, traditional estaminets (authentic Flemish taverns) serving local beer and regional cuisine, and shops selling regional specialties like Arras hearts (traditional gingerbread cookies shaped like hearts) and local artisanal beers that reflect the region's Flemish brewing heritage.