Bergues & Béthune
City Tours · Nord-Pas-de-Calais
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© 2016
Just under an hour's drive from Calais lies Béthune—an attractive, lively small town nestled between Arras and Saint-Omer. A place that surprises with Flemish charm and genuine Northern French warmth.
The market square of Béthune is a discovery in itself: an ensemble of neo-regional and Art Deco facades surrounds the central belfry. In 1918, 90% of the square was destroyed, but the reconstruction created an impressive town hall whose stone facade tells the city's history. The belfry itself, burned down several times and "decapitated" in the First World War, is today the proud landmark—its carillon chimes every hour on the hour.
Ch'ti – More Than Just a Dialect
The region is famous for its beer. The most well-known product comes from the brewery in Bénifontaine: Ch’ti beer. "Ch’ti" is the affectionate nickname for the inhabitants of Northern France and their dialect. At the latest since the movie hit "Welcome to the Sticks" (2008), there has been a real hype surrounding this hearty vernacular and the people behind it.
Bergues: In the Footsteps of the Sch’tis
In Bergues, the main filming location for the movie, you can visit the original settings on guided tours. But away from the film set, the town charms with its simple beauty and the peaceful Flanders plain. As they say in the movie: "A stranger who comes to the North-Pas-de-Calais cries twice: when he arrives and when he leaves." Anyone who has experienced the hospitality and hearty cuisine here will undoubtedly agree.
Editor's Tip
The combination of Flemish history, Vauban fortifications, and the uncomplicated lifestyle defines the appeal of this often underrated region. Don't just pass through on your way to the ferry—take a moment to linger and enjoy a Ch'ti beer on the square.
