Visit the Natural History Museum and embark on a voyage through time. You'll be transported through the ages via the four main collections: ethnography, science and technology, geology and zoology.

Head out for a night on the town – Lille is home to a number of lively and unique bars known for their great music.

Head to Palais des Beaux Arts, Lille's municipal museum, to view its excellent collection of fine art, sculpture and historic artefacts. You can take your pick from the series of expertly curated routes and gallery tours available.

Experience a traditional cooking workshop with le Tablier Bleu, led by local chef Gabriel Asseman and owner of Arras' L’oeuf ou la Poule restaurant. Under his expert supervision, you'll head to the market to buy the ingredients for a meal that you’ll cook and enjoy together.

Sample the delicious macarons d’Amiens at the Trogneux shop, run by the same family for the past five generations.

Experience the calm and quiet of Amiens’ hortillonnages – a haven of narrow waterways connecting floating islands of cottages and colourful market gardens, cultivated since the middle ages to provide local fruit and vegetables. 

Visit the Musée de Picardie, designed after Napoleon III's Louvre, for a journey from the Paleolithic to present day. The collections include archeology, sculptures, paintings and fine and modern art – it's considered one of the finest museums outside Paris, since opening in 1867.

Pop into Philippe Olivier’s famous cheese shop to try a chunk of Vieux Boulogne – officially the smelliest cheese in the world, according to scientists at Oxford University. If that doesn’t take your fancy, there's plenty of choice - you’ll find about 300 cheeses on offer!