The
beaches of Picardy were made famous
in the last century by the WW1
Battle of the Somme, and have featured
in historical events such as when
William the Conqueror set sail
for England in 1066. With one of
the least urbanized coastlines
in all of France and miles of beautiful
sandy beaches, the coastline of
Picardy is ideal for a variety
of sports such as windsurfing,
yachting, sailing and swimming.
Inland, unspoilt plains and forests,
canals and rivers are ideal for
anyone who enjoys outdoor activities
such as fishing, cycling, horse
riding and walking. The region
boasts over 2000 kilometres of
pathways and lanes and a number
of leisure parks. The golf enthusiast
will be spoilt for choice with
some of the best golf courses in
France.
Horse riding is a particularly
important pastime in the region
and Chantilly is the country’s
thoroughbred capital and home
to the famous Living Horse Museum
and racecourse. (http://www.museevivantducheval.fr).
With a major festival each spring,
archery has also been very popular
since the Middle Ages.
Picardy also has a great deal
to offer the art and history
lover. The region is rich in
history and gothic architecture.
The picturesque village of Gerberory,
the gothic cathedrals at Amiens,
Beauvais, Laon, Noyon and Senlis
and the stunning Chateaux at
Chantilly and Compiegne are all
worth a visit. Picardy’s
culture is kept alive with exhibitions
and annual music, theatre and
film festivals.
Picardy has three departments:
Somme, Aisne and Oise.
- Somme located
in the very north of France,
is known around the world for
its strategic significance
in both World Wars and is named
after the Somme River which
runs through the middle. The
largest gothic cathedral in
France, the Cathederale Notre-Dame,
dominates the department and
regional capital Aimens. This
bustling University town, barely
90 minutes drive from Calais,
is nestled along the banks
of the Somme River and on an
elaborate system of canals.
This waterway system with its
large number of bridges was
once the centre of the Amiens’ textile
industry and has been transformed
into a fashionable area of
restaurants, cafes and bars.
- Aisne in
the east of Picardy, borders
with Ile de France and the
Champagne-Ardenne regions.
As a result, the champagne
region largely influences its
culture and cuisine. The department’s
capital, Laon, was a royal
city for the Carolingians and
has a remarkable cathedral,
medieval streets and with its
position on a hill, has incredible
view of the surrounding countryside.
St-Quentin, in the north-west
of the department, is surrounded
by rivers and canals and attracts
ramblers and pleasure-boaters
alike. Although the city suffered
greatly during the last World
War, many of its greatest examples
of gothic architecture were
spared.
- Oise department
lies just outside the Paris
area and its rolling countryside
and dark forest provide a peaceful
escape for Parisians and visitors
alike. The sleepy town of Compiegne
on the edge of the attractive
Foret de Compiegne just 80
kilometres north of Paris,
should not be missed. Its chateau
is its most famous attribute
but the other pull for visitors
is that on the first Sunday
after Easter each year it is
the start of one of the world’s
toughest one-day cycle races,
the Paris-Roubaix. At Plailly
in the south you will find
the very first French theme
park, Parc Asterix (http://www.parcasterix.fr).
The park is based on the comical
battles of Asterix and Obelix,
the cartoon characters by Uderzo
and Goscinny. Criel is also
a pleasant town surrounded
by forest. Here you can enjoy
many traditions such as the
annual autumn Foire aux Marrons
(Chestnut Festival) or admire
some Criel-Montereau’s
porcelain which is highly sought
after by collectors.
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