 Your trip to Somme and Picardie
There is plenty to do in the Somme department, either as a change from exploring the sites of war or for those who prefer an alternative to ‘battlefield tourism’.
Amiens, the largest city in the Somme department, is also its administrative centre. In 1914 it was briefly occupied and in 1918 the final German breakthrough was halted less than 10 miles to the east (at Villers-Bretonneux).
As a vital railhead and junction it was a major target during the war, since its capture would have disrupted communications and supply lines between the two allies, France and Britain.
Remaining in Allied hands, it was an important centre for the Allied nations. Many soldiers and officers record their visits, on army business or for a brief leisure break – perhaps a good meal and comfortable stay in one of the city’s hotels (some still identifiable).
The River Somme, running through the city, was invaluable for its barge traffic, taking supplies up to the army further east and bringing wounded soldiers back to hospital or for embarkation back to England.
Amiens has many fine buildings and attractive streets and settings to discover. See: www.amiens.com for pictures, suggestions and information (in French). The Gothic cathedral, one of the finest in France, contains an unusual set of memorial plaques recording the Allied armies (and some individuals) who fought in the Great War.
The interior is well worth a visit (guided visits available); and a recent success has been the colour projection which shows the magnificent west front in its original colours – the three arched doorways spring to life, with vivid colours showing the detail on the many carved figures (mid-June – end September).
Other sites to visit include the Museum of Picardy, the Belfry, the restored riverside area and the ‘Hortillonnages’ – traditional waterside gardens to explore by boat along a network of small canals.
Activities in Amiens include its film festival and a Christmas market.
The city is also a good base for exploring other sites in the Somme, including the coastline and the river estuary with its famous bird sanctuary, or the fine churches at Abbeville and St. Riquier, the ancient underground refuge city at Naours and the reconstructed Gallic village at Samara.
The River Somme is a fine attraction in itself, and a good base for other activities; fishing is popular, particularly in the many pools and lagoons dotted along its winding course.
The canalised river, with footpath running beside it, is used by pleasure boats, which can be hired; Péronne, Cappy, Amiens, Abbeville and Saint-Valéry sur Somme have boating harbours.
For other outdoor activities, there are golf courses and gardens open to the public, archaeological sites and nature reserves.
The newly-launched English ‘Rose of Picardie’, named after the famous song and honouring the centenary of the 1904 Entente Cordiale, has its French home at the famous gardens at Valloires, in the grounds of a former abbey.
Walkers and cyclists can find plenty of quiet tracks and roads in the Somme. With its low population and wide rural views, it is a good region for exploring on foot or by bicycle, both for battlefield visits or for the pleasure of the open landscape.
Bicycles can be hired in some places – ask at Tourist Offices.
For details of other attractions in the Somme region, see www.somme-tourisme.com
Partner: http://www.ecossetours.co.uk/
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Opening hours and admission 
