Home › Explained sheets › History, geography and culture
French heritage: iconic sites and food of Hauts-de-France
This sheet presents cultural landmarks of French society. It focuses in particular on Hauts-de-France.
Key points of the sheet
- The belfry of Lille (beffroi de Lille) is a tall tower of Lille's town hall. Opened in 1932, it is the highest civil belfry in Europe.
- The belfry was built when the town hall was rebuilt after its destruction in the First World War. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.
- Maroilles is a soft cheese made in Hauts-de-France. People can eat it with bread or cook it, for example in a tart (or flamiche).
- Maroilles has a powerful smell and a strong taste. It represents the farming and cheese-making skills of the region.
Words to know
- belfry of Lille (beffroi de Lille)
- It is a tall tower of Lille's town hall, opened in 1932.
- UNESCO World Heritage (patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO)
- The belfry of Lille has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 2005.
- Maroilles (cheese)
- It is a soft cheese from Hauts-de-France, with a powerful smell and a strong taste.
- flamiche (tart)
- It is another name for the Maroilles tart.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Since when has the belfry of Lille been listed by UNESCO?
In French, the language of the exam: Depuis quand le beffroi de Lille est-il classé à l'UNESCO ?
The belfry of Lille has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005.
Where is Maroilles made?
In French, the language of the exam: Où est fabriqué le maroilles ?
Maroilles is a soft cheese made in Hauts-de-France.
During which war was Lille's town hall destroyed?
In French, the language of the exam: Pendant quelle guerre l'hôtel de ville de Lille est-il détruit ?
The belfry was built when the town hall was rebuilt after it was destroyed in the First World War.
You have read the sheet. See where you stand with 40 questions like the real exam.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)Free mock exam · Exam Pass €19 incl. VAT, paid once, no subscription
More in this topic (Culture)
- French heritage: landmark sites and food of the Pays de la Loire
- French heritage: iconic sites and food of the Grand Est
- French heritage: iconic sites and gastronomy
Source
Sheet “Patrimoine français : sites emblématiques et gastronomie des Hauts-de-France” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.