Last updated · Croix (Hauts-de-France, 43 m elevation) commune guide reviewed by the FranceStarter editorial team
What to See & Do in Croix (Hauts-de-France)
Served by Gare de Croix-Wasquehal (1.2 km) in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France, Croix (INSEE 59163; pop. 21,271) offers easy access to Abbaye du Réclinatoire and Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs at 43 m altitude. Visitors use Croix as a walkable base for tasting Welsh rarebit & Flamiche au Maroilles cheese tart and Moules-frites & Northern waterzooi across Hauts-de-France.
In Croix (Croix (59163), 43 m elevation, pop. 21,271), top sights and local landmarks include Abbaye du Réclinatoire (6.6 km) · Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs (6.0 km) · Vieille Bourse (7.6 km) · La Grande-Garde (7.7 km) · Église Notre-Dame-de-Fives (6.5 km), alongside surrounding quartiers and hameaux such as Le Blanc Seau, Le Sart (1.7 km), Le Recueil (2.2 km), Babylone (2.3 km). Within Hauts-de-France (Nord), Croix serves as a commune in hauts-de-france (Regional km², Urban/Town residents/km²) that pairs well with wider regional highlights including Vieux-Lille Grand'Place & La Piscine Museum in Roubaix, Amiens UNESCO Gothic Cathedral & Hortillonnages floating gardens, Château de Chantilly, Arras Flemish squares & Côte d'Opale cliffs.
- Nearby Landmarks & Monuments in Croix: Abbaye du Réclinatoire (6.6 km) · Église Saint-Maurice-des-Champs (6.0 km) · Vieille Bourse (7.6 km) · La Grande-Garde (7.7 km) · Église Notre-Dame-de-Fives (6.5 km)
- Local Quartiers, Villages & Lieux-dits (Croix): Le Blanc Seau, Le Sart (1.7 km), Le Recueil (2.2 km), Babylone (2.3 km)
- Historic Core & Weekly Marché of Croix: Stroll the central square around the Mairie, parish church, and morning market stalls in Croix.
How to Get to Croix: Nearest SNCF Station & Rail Access
Rail & road access for Croix (50.6747°N, 3.1539°E): Nearest station is Gare de Croix-Wasquehal (1.2 km), connecting via the regional hub of Gare de Lille-Flandres & Lille-Europe (SNCF TGV INOUI, Eurostar & TER). TGV INOUI from Paris Nord to Lille in 1h00 and Amiens in 1h05; Eurostar to London (1h20) and Brussels (35m).
- SNCF TER & transit cards for Croix: Once in Hauts-de-France, SNCF TER regional trains and departmental coaches link Lille with Croix (Gare de Croix-Wasquehal (1.2 km)). Urban trams and buses accept contactless bank cards and regional passes (Navigo Easy in Paris, TCL in Lyon, Lignes d'Azur in Nice).
- Luggage & station storage near Croix: Major SNCF hubs in Hauts-de-France offer consignes (left-luggage lockers). If stopping in Croix between bases, verify bag dimensions in our SNCF & Airline Luggage Checker.
- Driving & car rental around Croix: While Croix centre-ville is accessible by rail and local bus, picking up a rental car at Gare de Lille-Flandres & Lille-Europe (SNCF TGV INOUI, Eurostar & TER) makes it easy to explore rural vineyards, châteaux, and scenic passes across Hauts-de-France. See our Driving in France, Autoroute Tolls & Crit'Air Guide.
What Locals Eat in Croix (Hauts-de-France Specialties)
1. Signature Dish in Croix (Entrée & Plat)
In Croix (Nord), traditional tables feature: Warming Flemish-French estaminet cuisine—carbonnade flamande (beef braised in abbey ale and gingerbread), potjevleesch, Welsh rarebit with cheddar and beer, flamiche au Maroilles, and moules-frites. Across the Nord department, Croix showcases seasonal market produce, artisanal boulangeries, and AOC wines from Hauts-de-France.
2. Wine & Cellar Pairings Around Croix
Around Croix and across Nord, local wine lists and cellar pairings highlight: Artisanal Bières de Garde from family breweries across French Flanders and Artois, Picardie dry ciders, and proximity to nearby Champagne vineyards to the southeast.
3. AOC / AOP Cheeses & Boulangerie in Croix
At the weekly market and fromageries of Croix (Nord), look for: Pungent Maroilles AOP, Mimolette Vieille, Rollot and Boulette d'Avesnes cheeses; ficelle picarde savory crêpes; gâteau battu; Meert vanilla-stuffed gaufres; and genuine Crème de Chantilly.
4. Dining Rhythm & Market Hours in Croix
Convivial estaminet dining with wooden tabletop games, Saturday market friteries along the Opal Coast, and Sunday pâtisserie visits after strolling Flemish cobblestone squares. In a mid-sized French town like Croix (pop. 21,271), travelers will find multiple artisan bakeries, fromageries, brasseries around the main square and SNCF station, and a lively weekly open-air market showcasing Nord producers.
Across Croix (Croix (59163)) and the wider Hauts-de-France region, look for bistro chalkboards featuring Carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef & abbey beer stew), Welsh rarebit & Flamiche au Maroilles cheese tart, Moules-frites & Northern waterzooi, Gaufres fourrées (Meert vanilla bean waffles), Crème de Chantilly & artisanal bière de garde. For allergy cards or restaurant phrases in Croix, use our French Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards or practice speaking in Learn French for Travelers.
5 Nearest Neighboring Communes & Day Trips from Croix
The 5 closest neighboring French communes (communes limitrophes) to Croix (50.6747°N, 3.1539°E, 43 m elevation) for local day trips across Hauts-de-France are:
- Wasquehal (1.8 km from Croix)
- Roubaix (2.5 km from Croix)
- Hem (3.2 km from Croix)
- Mouvaux (3.3 km from Croix)
- Marcq-en-Barœul (4.1 km from Croix)
Commune Facts, Elevation & Best Time to Visit Croix
Seasonal advice for Croix (Hauts-de-France, 43 m elevation): Best time to visit Hauts-de-France: May–Sep (coast & gardens), Sep (Braderie de Lille), Dec (Christmas markets). Pair your visit to Croix with regional highlights across Hauts-de-France: Vieux-Lille Grand'Place & La Piscine Museum in Roubaix, Amiens UNESCO Gothic Cathedral & Hortillonnages floating gardens, Château de Chantilly, Arras Flemish squares & Côte d'Opale cliffs.
| Commune Fact | Details for Croix (Croix (59163)) |
|---|---|
| Official Commune Name | Croix (59163) (Croix) |
| Administrative Role | Commune in Hauts-de-France |
| Region & Prefecture Capital | Hauts-de-France (Capital: Lille) |
| Geographic Zone | Nord |
| Population | 21,271 residents |
| Surface Area / Density | Regional km² · Urban/Town residents per km² |
| GeoNames Elevation | 43 m elevation |
| Nearest Rail Station | Gare de Croix-Wasquehal (1.2 km) |
| Municipal Heritage | Official Municipality |
| GPS Coordinates | 50.6747°N, 3.1539°E |
Practical Travel Tips for Croix
- Office de Tourisme in Croix: Visit the local Office de Tourisme near the historic center of Croix (or at Gare de Lille-Flandres & Lille-Europe (SNCF TGV INOUI, Eurostar & TER)) for walking maps, market days, and seasonal château or museum hours.
- Cards, Euros & ATMs in Croix: Bistros, bakeries, and shops in Croix accept Visa and Mastercard (contactless sans contact up to €50), though keeping €10–€20 in coins and small notes is helpful for open-air market stalls and village bakeries. BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Société Générale, and La Banque Postale ATMs operate across Hauts-de-France.
- French dining hours in Croix: Outside nonstop brasseries near major stations, kitchens in Croix serve lunch strictly from 12:00 to 13:45 and dinner from 19:15 to 21:30.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Croix (Croix (59163)) located in France?
Croix (Croix (59163)) is a commune located in Hauts-de-France in the Nord region of France (coordinates: 50.6747°N, 3.1539°E, 43 m elevation). It has a population of 21,271 across Regional km² (Urban/Town/km²).
How do I get to Croix by SNCF train?
Travelers reach Croix via Gare de Croix-Wasquehal (1.2 km) and the main regional gateway of Gare de Lille-Flandres & Lille-Europe (SNCF TGV INOUI, Eurostar & TER). TGV INOUI from Paris Nord to Lille in 1h00 and Amiens in 1h05; Eurostar to London (1h20) and Brussels (35m). Compare fares and travel times in our SNCF TGV INOUI, Ouigo & TER Fare Calculator.
What local food is Croix (Hauts-de-France) known for?
In Croix and across Hauts-de-France, signature regional dishes include Carbonnade flamande (Flemish beef & abbey beer stew), Welsh rarebit & Flamiche au Maroilles cheese tart, Moules-frites & Northern waterzooi, plus Gaufres fourrées (Meert vanilla bean waffles) and Crème de Chantilly & artisanal bière de garde. Look for artisan boulangeries, weekly open-air marchés, and bistros offering a weekday Formule du Midi.
When is the best time of year to visit Croix?
For Croix (Hauts-de-France, 43 m elevation): Best time to visit Hauts-de-France: May–Sep (coast & gardens), Sep (Braderie de Lille), Dec (Christmas markets). Check our France Seasonal Calendar for month-by-month weather and festival highlights.
Official Sources & References for Croix
Official commune, rail, and tourism references for Croix (Hauts-de-France, 50.6747°N, 3.1539°E) verified against Atout France, SNCF Connect, and INSEE / GeoNames data.