FRANCE in a flash

Try these short Gallic breaks - all an easy escape across the Channel

- LUCY THACKRAY, CHRIS MORLEY

Hauts-de-France

Ramparted Flemish town Saint-Omer, just 35 minutes from Calais, is flanked by the atmospheric marshland, Marais Audomarois. Here, life is on the water and the postman delivers letters by boat! Admire the lavish interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral and its Rubens' Descent from the Cross, then wander mansion-lined streets look for L'Hôtel Sandelin, an art museum, and in Rue St Bertin, spot the German hospital from which disabled World War Two hero Douglas Bader escaped. On Saturdays, a market sprawls over the cobbled square and beyond the ramparts, discover the Marais Audomarois in a traditional flat-bottomed boat.

EAT AND DRINK As part of the European Regions of Gastronomy 2023 awards, expect foodie events in Saint-Omer all year. But when it comes to the everyday, try Bacôve (restaurant-bacove.com) for exquisite, hyper-local dishes like barbecued monkfish with Tilques carrots. Wash plates of market-garden produce down with La Goudale beer at La Maison du Marais (lamaisondumarais.com). Or visit La Taverne de Duchenot (taverne-duchenot.fr), a favourite with locals and the place to experience 'Le Welsh', a version of Welsh rarebit. You can also tour France's oldest distillery at Houlle (genievredehoulle.com) and taste cockle-warming variations of genièvre (similar to gin).

TOP TIP Check out Bond-esque German bunker at La Coupole (lacoupole-france.co.uk), a history and science museum.