Picardie region
The region of Picardie is extremely accessible from the UK, being within an hour's drive of the Channel Tunnel and Calais. The region was fought over for most of World War 1 and is the site of many famous battles. There are numerous cemetaries, battlefields and memorials to visit. Despite the damage done to the area in the war, there are many fine historic buildings to visit including six lovely cathedrals and many chateaux and castles. The Bay of the Somme in the north of the region has vast sandy beaches and wonderful sea food. Seafood is generally a speciality in the region and there are many fine restaurants. Many activities are on offer including water sports, cycling, walking, riding and golf.
There is a wide variety of accommodation on offer in the region. You can choose from city centre hotels, to country auberges and chambre d'hotes and from a wide choice of gites and self catering apartments to suit all budgets. Whether you are looking for a beach, city, rural or cultural holiday, you are sure to find something in this beautiful region.
The Departments
The city of St. Quentin, in the department of Aisne, was badly damaged in the war but much of the Gothic architecture has been carefully restored and can be visited today. The city also has plenty of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Some of the villages that were completely destroyed in the war have been restored and there are many wartime sites to visit. Champagne is made in the department and the vineyards can be visited. Local specialities include cider, cheese, foie gras and, of course, champagne.
The department of Oise is where you will find the city of Beauvais. The battle for this city in World War 2 was very fierce, but the superb gothic cathedral survived and is a fascinating place to visit. The city of Compiegne lies at the heart of a vast forest and was a city much visit by the kings of France for its excellent hunting. It is also where the Armestice was signed in 1918 and there is a replica of the railway carriage where this took place. Chantilly is famous for its race course and many equestrian events happen here.
The Bay of the Somme is the largest estuary in northern France and is a haven for beach and water lovers as well as bird life enthusiasts. The bustling town of St Valery sur Somme has a busy marina and there are miles of sandy beaches to enjoy. Inland, there are many famous battle sites from World War 1 and also the site of the Battle of Crecy in the forest of the same name. There are miles of walking paths and the countryside is beautiful. The cathredral in the city of Amiens is listed at a world heritage site.
The region of Picardie is extremely accessible from the UK, being within an hour's drive of the Channel Tunnel and Calais. The region was fought over for most of World War 1 and is the site of many famous battles. There are numerous cemetaries, battlefields and memorials to visit. Despite the damage done to the area in the war, there are many fine historic buildings to visit including six lovely cathedrals and many chateaux and castles. The Bay of the Somme in the north of the region has vast sandy beaches and wonderful sea food. Seafood is generally a speciality in the region and there are many fine restaurants. Many activities are on offer including water sports, cycling, walking, riding and golf.
There is a wide variety of accommodation on offer in the region. You can choose from city centre hotels, to country auberges and chambre d'hotes and from a wide choice of gites and self catering apartments to suit all budgets. Whether you are looking for a beach, city, rural or cultural holiday, you are sure to find something in this beautiful region.The Departments
The city of St. Quentin, in the department of Aisne, was badly damaged in the war but much of the Gothic architecture has been carefully restored and can be visited today. The city also has plenty of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Some of the villages that were completely destroyed in the war have been restored and there are many wartime sites to visit. Champagne is made in the department and the vineyards can be visited. Local specialities include cider, cheese, foie gras and, of course, champagne.
The department of Oise is where you will find the city of Beauvais. The battle for this city in World War 2 was very fierce, but the superb gothic cathedral survived and is a fascinating place to visit. The city of Compiegne lies at the heart of a vast forest and was a city much visit by the kings of France for its excellent hunting. It is also where the Armestice was signed in 1918 and there is a replica of the railway carriage where this took place. Chantilly is famous for its race course and many equestrian events happen here.The Bay of the Somme is the largest estuary in northern France and is a haven for beach and water lovers as well as bird life enthusiasts. The bustling town of St Valery sur Somme has a busy marina and there are miles of sandy beaches to enjoy. Inland, there are many famous battle sites from World War 1 and also the site of the Battle of Crecy in the forest of the same name. There are miles of walking paths and the countryside is beautiful. The cathredral in the city of Amiens is listed at a world heritage site.