The North East region of France consists of three regions Nord Picardy, Champagne Ardenne and Ile de France. They all offer unique opportunities for camping and self catering holidays.

As it is the region with containing the capital city, we will start with Ile de France. Bang in the middle of this region is Paris with the huge array of attractions and sites. So well known are these that we will take them for read, and so too with Disneyland, just around the corner. You may wish to camp in Paris itself and just enjoy this wonderful city with trips to Disneyland for the children. You can camp within ten to fifteen minutes walk of Eiffel Tower. Should you tear yourself away from Paris, you might wish to visit Versailles, a city totally steeped in history and beauty. You might also visit Fontainebleau and its magnificent chateau.

Champagne Ardenne is famous for the drink that bears its name, Champagne. All true Champagne stems from this region and sparking wines from elsewhere that might call themselves by the same name are frauds. Dom Perignon, a monk, is thought to have invented it but in fact it was invented by a Brit called Christopher Merret. Other than the drink the region is famous for its endless fields of sunflowers and gently undulating countryside. The cities are often Gothic in their architectural style, none more so than Reims and Troyes with their famous cathedrals. Pig and wild hog feature in the cuisine of the region, washed down with the local beverage of course.

The final region of our trio is Nord Picardy. Here we are bordering with Holland and the Flemish influence on the region is unmissable. This region has been steeped in the violence of war many times in its history. Here the English, led by Henry V, defeated the French at The Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The English did not fare so well in a subsequent battle, The Battle of the Somme which took place during the First World Was in 1916. On the first day there were 57,470 British casualties. By the end of the battle 1.5 million soldiers lay dead or wounded along the twelve mile battle front.

The horrors of battle have faded into the past and now we find some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside of France with forests, valleys, sandy beaches and cliffs. To drink there are beers that resemble the Flemish brews, to eat there is fish and cheese.