One of the most populous French regions, Nord-Pas-de-Calais is located in the very north of the country. Connected by TGV to Paris, London and Brussels, the area's Flemish architecture and traditional Belgian cuisine draw in tourists all year round and make for a unique backdrop to a picturesque second home. With traders and tourists travelling through day and night, Nord Pas de Calais is, perhaps, the single most important international travel hub in France, outside the capitals. It is generally treated more as a stop-off or pass-through location by many visitors, which has allowed it to retain a wonderfully unspoiled charm that's rare across the rest of the country. Investment opportunities vary enormously, comprising everything from sleep village hideaways to bustling beach resorts and a wide variety of business-purpose lets in and around the main transport hubs and terminals. Hotspots include Lille and Boulogne-sur-Mer.