Haute-France, the northernmost region of mainland France, is a land of contrasts forged by history, industry and surprising nature. Its flat landscapes hold the deep scars and moving memorials of the First World War. Its industrial past has been reinvented in places like the Louvre-Lens museum, and its Flemish heritage is palpable in Lille's architecture and traditions. From the majestic cliffs of the Opal Coast to the Bay of Somme, through its Gothic cathedrals and bustling carnivals, it is a region of unexpected human warmth, with a strong character and festive culture.