Nice to Newcastle flight

There is one area where Newcastle, like many English cities, surpasses most French cities: nightlife. There's plenty going on along the banks of the Tyne, especially as the student community, one of the largest in the country, is not shy about partying! Pubs, lounge bars, restaurants, nightclubs and concert halls: there are plenty of temptations for night owls. In fact, the region sets the trends for clubbing in England. An enticing promise, given that our neighbours across the Channel excel in this field.

But rest assured, the city doesn't just come alive at dusk. It's just as appealing when it wakes up! Believe me, if you're only spending a weekend in Newcastle, there's so much to do, you won’t want to have a lie-in! With the choice of culture, shopping, sport, walking or cycling, everyone will find something they love to do.

• Let’s start at the beginning! Visit the castle that gave the city its name, although it’s not exactly ‘new’, as it dates back to the 12th century. All that remains today is the keep and a fortified gate, wedged between the road and the railway tracks. But the place is still worth a visit, if only because it is said to be haunted!
• Stroll along the banks of the Tyne to enjoy the spectacle of the seven bridges that cross it, starting with the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a large, futuristically designed pedestrian bridge. To let boats pass, it tilts upwards. Hence its nickname: the tilting bridge.
• Head back up the Tyne towards the city centre via Newcastle's last chares; these are narrow, dark alleyways that weave through buildings. The oldest ones date back to the Middle Ages. Naturally, they are extremely picturesque. And don't worry, they are now perfectly safe!
• Stroll through Grainger Town, the historic, shopping centre of the city, explore its shops, trendy bars and restaurants and... its remarkable neoclassical architecture. The highlight of this walk is Grey Street, said to be one of the most beautiful streets in England.
• Cheer on the Magpies, the players of Newcastle United Football Club, so dubbed because of their black and white jerseys. Their stadium, St James' Park, opened in 1880, is in the city centre. A true symbol!
• Dive into the world of contemporary art by stepping through the doors of the Baltic. This former flour mill is now one of the world's most ultra-modern art centres. It prefers temporary exhibitions to permanent collections. You'll never be disappointed!
• Explore Ouseburn, Newcastle's bohemian district. Once home to warehouses and factories, it now houses numerous artists, microbreweries, Seven Stories, the National Children's Literature Museum, and the Biscuit Factory, one of England's most important contemporary art galleries.
• Head to the area around Blandford Square to visit the Discovery Museum, Newcastle's science museum. Cleverly staged, its eclectic collection takes you on a journey through the technologies of yesteryear and today, from medieval weaponry to electric cars. The highlight of the visit is the Turbinia, the first turbine-powered ship in history.
• Have breakfast at Grainger Market, a covered market that opened nearly two hundred years ago. Here you will find more than 250 food shops, some of which have been owned by the same family since the market opened. The best of English cuisine — yes, really! — at very affordable prices. It's even cheaper than some supermarkets!
• Get out and about! Have a pint at the Bridge Tavern or Ye Olde Cannon, two of the oldest pubs in the city. Get your ticket for a show at SAGE Gateshead, the concert hall designed by Norman Foster, one of Britain's leading contemporary architects. Don your glad rags to visit the chic bars of the Diamond Strip. Let yourself be carried away into the night by the spellbinding mixes of the DJs at Digital.