Picardie Things to Do

  The southern rose window.
by Askla
 
  • The southern rose window.
      The southern rose window.
    by Askla
  • The Holy Valery chapel
      The Holy Valery chapel
    by wandeljp
  • Nevers Gate
      Nevers Gate
    by wandeljp
  • Chateau de Chantilly
      Chateau de Chantilly
    by Dabs
  • Urn containing the hearts of the Condi Princes
      Urn containing the hearts of the Condi...
    by Dabs
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Notre Dame in Amiens Is the Model Gothic Cathedral

by hquittner

The most important site to visit in Picardie is the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Amiens (pop.136K). The church is considered tobe the most ideal expression of the early Gothic style (benefitting from the imperfections arising in cathedrals of Beauvais, Chartres and Reims which preceded it). It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in France (in square and cubic areas), even thoug the cathedral in Beauvais is taller (48,2 m vs 42). Besides the church this city has a good Art Museum , local cuisine and is a nice town in which to wander (and it has a zoo).

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The Cathedral at Laon Is A Must See

by hquittner

The Cathedral stands at the top of this French hilltown which is partly walled and has fine views of the countryside. It is part Romanesque and Early Gothic and has one of the most pleasing appearances. The sturdy west towers have large oxen peering out (seen best with binocular). Among the earliest Rose windows grace the Eat and West ends and the transepts. (See Our Tips)

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Beauvais Has a Famous Cathedral to See and More

by hquittner

It seems that most tourists these days encounter Beauvais only as they pass through it going to or from its airport at Tille. They are only interested in Paris. Yet it would be easy (and much cheaper) to incorporate Beauvais (and much of Picardie) into such a trip to France. Here is the grandeur of the tallest Gothic Cathedral in the world (St.-Pierre), a Michelin 3* site! As we found, there is much more in Beauvais. (See our Tips). Many travelers ask about how to see a little of the real France on their (2-5th) trips to Paris and nobody seems to suggest this neat way to combine a cheap flight with a different approach. Instead of “nightlife”, substitute good local evening meals. There is a minibus from the airport that makes stops at all the inexpensive hotels around the city. There are a dozen trains to the Gare du Nord in Paris from the station near St.-Etienne (another church which...

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See Ourscamp Abbey Ruins & Nearby Noyon Cathedral

by hquittner

On our way west from Laon, we stopped at the ruins of Ourscamp Abbey 6 km south of Noyon and then briefly stopped at Noyon as well walking around the entire structure, noting the excellent chevet, a ruined ancient Bishop’s Chapel and a 16C unusual wooden two storied library.

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Stop at Coucy-le-Chateau (-Auffrique)

by hquittner

Picardie has other sites to visit other than intriguing cathedrals, namely chateaux and castle-ruins. They can be incorporated as part day visits, all accessible by car. The ruins of the Chateau de Coucy is the greatest 13C structure, not like the luxury site of Compiegne or the imaginatively reconstructed Pierrefonds. Although le Duc also worked at Coucy he did not alter it. The 19C Romantics loved it and Parisians made day-trips here by train at that time. It is near Laon, Soissons, Noyon and Compiegne.

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See the Chateau-Museum and Ruined Abbey of Chaalis

by hquittner

The chateau houses the Jacquemart-Andre Museum of Art similar to its relative in Paris (a "residence of a collector"). The Abbey and the grounds present their own revelations. We have written about it all in our pages under Fontaine-Chaalis, the nearest town.

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Drive around

by Museeuw

What you should definitely do when you're in Picardie is just take the car (or bicycle) and a good map and just drive around. Try to find the small roads and enjoy all the views you will definitely come across. I seem to have forgotten to take pictures of the views we saw, but we also stopped a couple of times to have some 'quality time' with some horses. :-) Or to take a picture of a stork for instance. So just drive around on the small roads, you won't regret it. (Don't be mistaken by my pictures, there are lots of forests or small woods in the region also)

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Chantilly

by DanielF

Currently included in the region of Picardy, Chantilly boasts one of the most sumptuous palaces in France. A chateau built on the water with turrets, domes, fantastic gardens and everything a chateau needs to evoque the magnificiency of the French court.The palace, managed by the Institut de France, can be hired on the hour for your most special occasions.The famous Hypodrome and the Horse Museum complete the attractions of Chantilly and place it among the main hypic destinations in Europe.

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Visit the Département de l'Aisne (02)

by DanielF

The Aisne,also named after a river -a tributtary of the Oise, is one of the 83 Departments created in 1790, including parts of the former Provinces of Île de France (Laonnois, Soissonnais, Noyonnais and Valois) and Picardie (Thiérache, Vermandois).Its capital is the small town of Laon. The capital as well as the rest of the important towns (Soissons and Saint-Quentin) all boast impressive Gothic churches.

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Tour the Département de l'Oise (60)

by DanielF

The Oise River, born near Chimay in Belgium, is one of the tributtaries of the Seine. It gives name to the South-Westernmost part of Picardie, the closest to Paris, which is only about 35 kilometres South of the borderline. The Department was also created in 1790 with territories that had mostly made part of the former province of Ile de France.The capital of the Department is located in Beauvais, whose catheral of Saint Peter, together with the cathedral of Our Lady in Noyon, is among the most significant buildings in the Department. There are also some of the most impressive French palaces and castles, like Pierrefonds, Compiègne and Chantilly, which is also known for its famous hippodrome and Horse Museum. Finally, the tiny town of Gerberoy is considered to be one of the most beautiful in France.

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Fun things to do in Picardie

Top 3 Hotels in Picardie

Mercure Amiens Cathedrale  Amiens

 1 Review and 128 Opinions  Great view!!! Wonderful view of the Cathedral from right out your room window! Nice quiet location,... 

 Hotels in Amiens

Les Corderies  Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme

 53 Opinions

 Hotels in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme

Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly  Chantilly

 235 Opinions

 Hotels in Chantilly

146 Hotels in Picardie
 
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Reviews and photos of Picardie attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Picardie sightseeing.

Experience Picardie
Things to Do: Cities in Picardie
  1. Amiens Things to Do
  2. Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme Things to Do
  3. Beauvais Things to Do
  4. Chantilly Things to Do
  5. Pierrefonds Things to Do
  6. Compiègne Things to Do
  7. Berny-Rivière Things to Do
  8. Saint-Quentin Things to Do
  9. Vic-sur-Aisne Things to Do
  10. Abbeville Things to Do
  11. Villers-Bretonneux Things to Do
  12. Le Crotoy Things to Do
  13. Senlis Things to Do
  14. Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique Things to Do
  15. Laon Things to Do
  16. Château-Thierry Things to Do
  17. Mers-les-Bains Things to Do
  18. Fort-Mahon-Plage Things to Do
  19. Belleau Things to Do
  20. Albert Things to Do
  21. Royaumont Things to Do
  22. Blérancourt Things to Do
  23. Saint-Riquier Things to Do
  24. Naours Things to Do
  25. Cerny-en-Laonnois Things to Do
  26. Péronne Things to Do
  27. Fontaine-Chaâlis Things to Do
  28. Chiry-Ourscamp Things to Do
  29. Argoules Things to Do
  30. Pozières Things to Do
  31. Noyon Things to Do
  32. Le Bois de Cise Things to Do
  33. Crécy-en-Ponthieu Things to Do
  34. Bray-sur-Somme Things to Do
  35. Soissons Things to Do
  36. Ailly-sur-Noye Things to Do

More Cities in Picardie

 

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