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

Explore the Département de la Somme (80)

by DanielF

The department of the Somme is named after the main river in Picardy. It has its source in the department of the Aisne and flows into the English Channel after slowly meandering thorugh a picturesque area of canals, swamps and galery forests. The river also gives its name to one of the main battles fought in World War I.The Department of the Somme was created in 1790, after the French Revolution, comprising the bulk of the former Province of Picardie (l'Amiénois, le Marquenterre, le Ponthieu, le Santerre and le Vimeu). It is the only one of the three Picard departments to have a small coastline.Its capital, Amiens, is also the regional capital and one of the most interesting cities in France.

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Saint-Riquier

by DanielF

Saint-Riquier is a tiny town which knew a great development under Charles the Great. At the time, the town was known as Centule (the Ville aux Cent Tours- City of One Hundred Towers) and its inhabitants are still called Centulois. During the Middle Ages, the town changed its name to Saint-Riquier in honour of the saint whose relics attracted large numbers of pilgrims.Today, Saint-Riquier is very small but has preserved a large number of attractions, including its Gothic abbey, the belfry, part of the fortifications and the so-called House of Napoleon. It has a strong rural atmosphere with a pungent flavour of France profonde, which make ideal for a desintoxication break after the urban excesses of Paris.

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Abbeville

by DanielF

The capital of the former County of Ponthieu is not but a shadow of what it was before the destructions of wars, but there are still a few monuments worht of a visit, including one of the oldest French belfries and the Collegiate Church of Saint-Vulfran, which has a magnificent Flamboyant Gothic (unifnished) facade. Pictured here is a detail of the portal.

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Noyon

by DanielF

Noyon is today a quiet, little town in the Somme Department, but it achieved a great significance during the Middle Ages as the seat of an independent stated ruled by its bishop. Evidence of this significance is its magnificient cathedral, which substituted a previous Romanesque church, and was one of the first Gothic buildings. This extraordinary primitive Gothic is a must for anybody with the slightest inclination towards the history of the art.

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Pierrefonds

by DanielF

The former feudal castle of Pierrefonds was a total ruin in the beginning of the XIX century. It was overly resotred then after the fashion of that time, turning it into motion picture perfect castle.

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Saint Quentin

by DanielF

Saint Quentin is located in an important crossroads, fact which brought prosperity but also made it extremely vulnerable to military attacks. The town has been destroyed several times and, in particular, during World War I, when 80 % of it was ravaged.Subsequent reconstruction works have turned its centre into a pleasant place with several fine buildings. The jewel of the crown is obviously the Gothic Basilia, one of the many Gothic masterpieces in Picardy, but the City Hall and its large square (pictured here) are also dign of spending some time.

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Consider Visiting the Cathedral in Soissons

by hquittner

If you are visiting other cathedrals in Picardie, consider adding Soissons to your list. It was started contemporaneously with Notre Dame de Paris. It possesses an unusual treatment of its South transept. Also in town is a beautiful partially ruined Abbey (St.-Jean) that should not be missed.

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Consider Visiting Senlis and Staying Over

by hquittner

Senlis is just out of the Ile-de-France (45 km from Paris). It can be reached by SNCF train to Chantilly and a connectiong bus, total time 1 hr. Alternately it is reached by car up the N17 past the C. de Gaulle Airport. We have written about staying in or near Senlis as a first or last night (or more) as part of trips to other parts of France. This allows one to visit nearby places without going near Paris.

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Visit Chantilly, Have a Creme,See the Chateau

by hquittner

Chantilly town is reached by the SNCF in less than half an hour. The connecting bus takes you to the Chateau (saving a 20 minute walk). The bus goes on and reaches Senlis within 20 minutes. The town is where sweetened whipped cream began, have a Charlotte aux Chantilly in town on your way home.

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Visit Pierrefonds and Its Castle

by hquittner

The Castle of Pierrefonds sits above the small village an it small lake. It was restored by Viollet-le-Duc and if you can get here, it is worth going through. The Parisians find it a terrific place to escape the crowded tenements in which they live and get out in the country here and just hang out. Only some of them seem to bother to visit the Castle.

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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.

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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. Vic-sur-Aisne Things to Do
  9. Saint-Quentin 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. Cerny-en-Laonnois Things to Do
  25. Péronne Things to Do
  26. Naours 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
  37. Friville-Escarbotin Things to Do

More Cities in Picardie

 

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