While we’re rambling, I put people at ease, I stimulate their curiosity,I make them laugh … I get them to ‘taste’ everything through their pores.I make them feel the different kinds of light, from the sky and from theground. I encourage them to taste the marsh-plants, like samphire and astertripolium, that we call pigs’ ears.

Jean-Michel Doliger, Nature guide

Les jardins et l’abbaye de ValloiresMake a trip to Argoules, in the Valley of the Authie, to visitthe only intact 18th Century Cistercian Abbey in France, with atraditional cloister, vaulted Chapter House, rooms with Louis XV

décor and 13th Century paintings. The Abbey Church is particu-larly worth visiting with its organ, wrought-iron railings, tombs,sculptures in wood, lead and marble, and papier mâché angelssuspended from the ceiling. “One of the last fruits of theflowering of Baroque art.”

Guided visits every day from mid-March to mid-November.

Argoules�+33(0)322296233 • www.abbaye-valloires.com

Rambures CastleAn impressive 15th Century fortress built all in curves! Itsenormous round towers, with machicolations set in their walk-ways, make the castle a remarkable example of 15th Centurymilitary architecture. France’s Henri IV was often a guest in theKing’s Bedroom! In the 24-acre (10-hectare) English-style garden,listed as a Jardin Remarquable, you can smell more than300 varieties of roses.

From March to October: every day except Wednesdays.From November to February: Sundays and holidays(except 25/12 and 01/01).

Rambures�+33(0)322251093 • www.chateaufort-rambures.com

The Collegiate Church of Saint-VulfranAs impressive as a cathedral, the church is a masterpiece of Lateor Flamboyant Gothic, famous for its elegant façade, its fine rosewindow and the symmetry of its soaring towers.

Every day except two weeks in January, 25 Decemberand 1 January.

Abbeville Tourist Office�+33(0)322242792 • www.ot-abbeville.fr

The Forest of CrécyThe state forest of Crécy is the largest wooded area in theSomme département covering more than 10,000 acres (4,000hectares) and was the site of the famous battle during theHundred YearsWar. Beech and oak are the main species of tree.The forest includes 23 remarkable specimens, 30 miles (47 km)of bridle paths and 8 well-marked trails.

Office National des ForêtsForest-L’Abbaye • �+33(0)322283162

The Somme Bay RailwayDiscover the Bay of Some on a vintage train dating from the early20th Century. Authentic wagons from the Belle Epoque drawn byvaliant steam engines run between Crotoy, Noyelles-sur-Mer,Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Cayeux-sur-Mer.Hear the engine whistle and you’re off for a ride 80 years intothe past! All aboard!

From May to mid-September: every day.In April, late September and the Halloween holiday: everyday except Mondays and Fridays. In October: weekends.

Saint-Valery-sur-Somme�+33(0)322269696www.chemin-fer-baie-somme.asso.fr

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The Bay of Somme,the most beautiful bay in the worldThe Bay of Somme is a member of the ‘Club of the MostBeautiful Bays in the World’, with its expanses of open water,marshes, dunes and saltwater meadows where the sea, the landand the sky seem to merge. Enjoy walks that will leave youlight-headed from the bracing sea air with a landscape ofmonochromes in grey, beige or white and vast skies and lighteffects reminiscent of opal and mother-of-pearl. The site is amajor French stopover for migrating birds. Wigeon, Sheld Duck,Curlew and Oystercatchers mix with harbour seals in the Bay andthe sheep on the salt marshes. At low tide you can walk over thegolden sands with a guide.

Abbeville Tourist Office�+33(0)322242792 • www.ot-abbeville.fr

Saint-Vulfran as the last raysof the Sun caress its towers isa sight you will remember forever.

Victor Hugo

Le Parc du MarquenterreThe park is a stopover favoured by thousands of migrating birdsand offers two different trails for observing them from shelteredpositions at the heart of the Bay of Somme nature reserve.Concealed in hides, you can watch the wildlife and observemigrating species that use the area as a haven on their waybetween Scandinavia and Mauritania.

Every day except 25/12 and 01/01.

Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont�+33(0)322256899 • www.parcdumarquenterre.com

Bay of SommeThe Picardy Coast

In April, nature enthusiasts and bird watchers gather atthe Bird and Nature Festival! The Festival is committedto protecting nature and the environment, offering manycultural, informative, festive and friendlyways to learnmoreabout the Bay of Somme’s natural treasures!

www.bird-nature-festival.co.uk

Abbey and Abbey Church of Saint-RiquierThe Abbey Church is a lesson in the history of Gothic Art; its‘flamboyant’ Late Gothic façade is covered with sculptures.Inside you will find many statues, fine examples of the workof Picard craftsmen, and magnificent wall paintings in theTreasury. The Abbey now houses a Somme départementmuseum devoted to rural life and crafts.

Abbey Church: every day from April to October exceptduring the Festival. Abbey: every day from mid-March tomid-November, Fridays and weekends from mid-Novemberto mid-December.

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In July,music-lovers gather at the Saint-Riquier Classi-cal Music Festival to hear the vaulted ceilings of theAbbey Church echo to the performances of renownedorchestras and soloists. In 25 years, the festival has becomethe musical event of the North of France.

�+33(0)322718210 • www.festival-de-saint-riquier.fr

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21, rue Ernest Cauvin - 80000 Amiens - FRANCE

Tél. : +33 (0) 322 71 22 71 - Fax : +33 (0) 322 71 22 69Email : accueil@somme-tourisme.com - www.somme-tourisme.com

COMITÉ DU TOURISME DE LA SOMMEFor full tourist information, visitFind special ideas for weekends on

By motorwayA1 (Paris-Lille)

A16 (Paris-Calais)

A26 (Calais-Reims)

A28 (Abbeville-Rouen)

A29 (Reims-Rouen)

By trainLines between Paris-Lille or Paris-Calais

“Haute Picardie” high-speed train (TGV) station

By planeRoissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport

Beauvais-Tillé Airport

Albert-Picardie Airport

By seaThe ports of Dieppe and Calais (Ferries and the Channel Tunnel)

The Sommereally so close

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La Maison de la Baie de Somme et de l’OiseauA centre where you can get to know, see and hear the Bay ofSomme, how it changes, its flora and fauna, and most particularlyits colony of seals. An excellent introduction for learning to identify birds by their silhouette, their plumage and colouring, theshape of their beaks and legs. There is also a show of free-flyingbirds of prey to conclude the visit.

Every day except 25/12 and 01/01.

Lanchères�+33(0)322269393 • www.maisondeloiseau.com

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Beside the Abbey, 5,000 species and varieties of plants are laidout in 20 acres (8 hectares) of greenery landscaped by Gilles Clément. From season to season, you will see splendid displaysof cherry blossom, the sight and scent of thousands of roses, including of course the Rose de Picardie©, the colours of autumn,the interactive garden for the five senses designed for childrenand the great “Garden of Evolution” that tells the story of the lifeof plants over the last 400 million years.

Open every day from mid-March to mid-November.

Argoules�+33(0)3 22235355 • www.jardinsdevalloires.com

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A sound and light show‘Le Souffle de la Terre’ (The Breath of the Earth)is a lively and enjoyable costume drama with 2,800different characters enthusiastically demonstratingthe real personality of Picardy. Performances onFridays and Saturdays at 9.30pm from the end ofAugust to the end of September.

Ailly-sur-Noye • �+33(0)322410690www.aillysurnoye.com

The Picardy MuseumThis is one of France’s finest museums, housed in a typical Napoléon III style building and possessing a wealth of collectionsranging from pre-history to the 20th Century.

Every day except Mondays and certain holidays.Closed or partially closed until September 2010.

Amiens • �+33(0)322971400 • www.amiens.fr/musees

The underground city of NaoursThe 28 galleries and 300 chambers hollowedout of the limestone of the Picardy plateaucould shelter 2,600 people and their flocks.In the Picard dialect, these hidden refuges arecalled “muches”. They were remarkably wellorganised and include 300 chambers, public“squares”, stables, wells, chimneys and a chapel with three naves. This undergroundcomplex was used by the British during theFirst World War and as a command post by the German Army in the Second World War.

Every day from the end of January to the beginning of November.

Naours�+33(0)322937178 • www.grottesdenaours.com

The zooA key mission for zoos in the 21st Century is the preservation of biodiversity. The zoo at Amiens participates in breeding programmesfor endangered species such as red pandas or the maned wolf. Its15 acres (6 hectares) contain 300 members of some 60 species,including elephants, penguins, sea lions and many others.

From April to September and during school holidays: everyday. February, March, October, November: Wednesdays,weekends and holidays. December and January: Sundays.Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.

Amiens • �+33(0)322696100 • www.amiens.com/zoo

SamaraGo back to prehistoric times and see how our ancestors lived! Fromthe conquest of fire to the Gallo-Roman period, 600,000 years of the story of Mankind are retold in a lively and realistic way through 1,200 m2 of exhibits, reconstitutions of living conditions, astonishing animated displays (fire lighting, hunting with the atlatlor throwing stick) and craft demonstrations (pottery, flint making,metal-forging etc).

Every day from mid-March to the beginning of November.

La Chaussée-Tirancourt �+33(0)322518283 • www.samara.fr

The House of Jules VerneDiscover both the imaginary and the everyday’s world of this famouswriter. The house was restored in 2006, and now displays more than700 objects revealing the personality of Jules Verne, his sources ofinspiration and other memorabilia. In this luxurious 19th Century townhouse, known as la Maison à la Tour (Tower House), Jules Vernewrote most of his ‘Extraordinary Voyages’. Tour the house from thewinter garden to the attic and relive the adventures of his heroes.

From mid-April to mid-October: every day except Tuesdaymornings. From mid-October to mid-April: every day exceptTuesdays, Saturdays and Sunday mornings.

Amiens�+33(0)322454575 • www.amiens.com/julesverne

The ‘Hortillonnages’ (market gardens set between waterways)These ‘floating gardens’ have been cultivated since the MiddleAges and form an unusual patchwork of vegetable and flowergardens close to the centre of Amiens. Wrapped in the arms ofthe Somme and Avre Rivers, the plots are separated by littlechannels, called “rieux” in the Picard dialect. They can be toured in the traditional high-prowed vessels.

Guided tours are available in electrically-powered craft.Every day from April to October.

Amiens�+33(0)322921218 • www.amiens-tourisme.com

The pools of the Upper SommeAs the river winds its way from its source to the Bay of Somme, itleaves behind a mosaic of cut-offs or pools. They offer many finewalks where you can admire the mists moving over the surface ofthe waters and feel as though you are in a magical water-world. Youmay see “anguillères” (eel traps) and the area is popular for carpand pike-fishing.You can also admire the beauty of the pools of the Upper Sommefrom specially-designed viewing points overlooking the valley (Belvédère de Vaux, Frise). Fishermen and walkers alike love thepools of the Upper Somme. From the banks you may see the shiningscales of carp, enjoying the calm of the surroundings - just like you.

Upper Somme Tourist Office�+33(0)322844238 • www.hautesomme-tourisme.com

The Museum of the Great War will help you understand thecauses, consequences and unfolding of the conflict, the dailylife at the front and in the rear as well as the political, socialand cultural aspects.

Every day, closed from mid-December to mid-January.

Péronne • �+33(0)322831418 • www.historial.org

The Somme Trench Museum depicts the lives of the soldiers in thetrenches during the offensive that started on July 1st 1916. Sounds,images and lighting effects evoke the daily lives of the soldiers.

Every day from February to mid-December.

Albert�+33(0)322751617 • www.musee-somme-1916.eu

Lochnagar Crater : this enormous mine crater, 300 feet from rimto rim and 90 feet deep, was created by an explosion at 7.28amon July 1st 1916, one of the series that marked the start of theBattle of the Somme by British troops.

Every day • Ovillers-la-Boisselle

The South African National Memorial and Museum : are set inthe heart of Delville Wood, nicknamed “Devil’s Wood”, in homageto the South African soldiers who first came under fire here. Out of 3,200 men who took part in the attack on July 15th 1916,only 143 returned unscathed from five days of action.

Memorial open all year round.Museum open every day fromFebruary to the end of November,except Mondays, holidays andtwo weeks in August.

Longueval�+33(0)322850217www.delvillewood.com

Remembrance TourThe Somme was deeply scarred by the First World War. Thebattle of 1916 was fought on a vast scale, in terms of thenumber of countries involved, the number of deaths, missing

in action or wounded on both sides and also in terms of tracesleft in the ground: trenches, mine craters, vegetation destroyed,villages reduced to rubble. The Remembrance Circuit, an itinerary linking two cities which symbolize the First World War,Albert and Péronne, will enable you to discover and understandthis page of the world’s history.

www.somme14-18.com

The Newfoundland Memorial includes a well-preserved networkof trenches providing a moving and realistic vision of battle condi-tions. There is also an interpretation centre for further explanations.

Every dayBeaumont-Hamel �+33(0)322767086

In summer and December, after nightfall, a light show called ‘The Cathedral in Colour’ brings back to life thesaints, apostles and other figures crowding the westernfaçade of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Amiens, through theprojection of digital colour images.

Opening times: 10.45pm in June, 10.30pm in July, 10.00pmin August, 9.45pm in September, 7pm in December.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral of AmiensPicardy has been justly called the cradle of Gothic. The fine, pure,soaring lines of the Cathedral of Amiens are its finest example ofGothic architecture. It is listed by UNESCO as a World HeritageSite and the harmony and purity of its proportions, its abundantstatuary and lacy stonework make it one of the finest examples ofGothic Art. Its volume is twice that of Notre-Dame Cathedral inParis and its nave is the tallest in the world!

Every day • Amiens Tourist Office�+33(0)322716050 • www.amiens-tourisme.com

AmiensThe Amien region

My horse-drawn carriage is a wonderful ‘alternative’ way for visitors to explore Amiens. I show them the Saint-Leu district, the oldest partof Amiens, that used to be the weavers and dyers quarter that providedthe city’s prosperity.

Alain Dupont, Les calèches de Samarobriva

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Belfries23 belfries in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the Somme were placedon UNESCO’s World Heritage list in July 2005!Belfries were originally erected as a sign that a commune wasindependent and free. Over the centuries, they became a symbol of the commune’s power and prosperity.

Amiens�+33(0)322225897www.amiens-tourisme.com

Abbeville�+33(0)322240849www.ville-abbeville.fr

Doullens et Lucheux�+33(0)322325452doullenstourisme.free.fr

Rue�+33(0)322256994www.ville-rue.fr

Saint-Riquier�+33(0)322289172www.saint-riquier.com

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The South African National Memorial pays homage to the Australian soldiers who were lost in action during the Great War. Thisis where they finally halted the German offensive in April 1918.

Every day • Villers-Bretonneux

The France-Australia Museum describes the role played by Australian troops during the First World War.

Mondays to Saturdays from 6 January to 20 December.Villers-Bretonneux�+33(0)322968079 • www.museeaustralien.com

The French-British Memorial of Thiepval is an imposing 45m-high brick and stone monument designedby the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens as a memorial to the73,367 British and South African soldiers who were killed between July 1915 and March 1918 and who haveno known graves. Their names are carved on the 16 pillars that support the monument. The visitor centre hasan interpretation area explaining the Battles of the Somme.

Every day; annual closure in December.Thiepval • �+33(0)322746047 • www.historial.org

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Upper Somme Valley

I love the region especially for its history and the memories rooted in the land. Heritage tourism is not very conventional; it's a kind of tourism dictated by the heart and emotions.

Peter Smith, from Britain, resident of Picardy

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The Upper Somme Light RailwayThe small train wanders along the banks of the Somme. Lovers of old railways will be delighted by the tunnel, the high bridge, the zig-zag reverse climb, the gradient through the forest, not forgetting the wooden seats, a bumpy and perhaps even a smoky ride! And just thinkthat this line once carried the soldiers to the Great War!

Sundays and holidays from May to the end of Septemberand every day except Monday from mid-July to the end of August.

A.P.P.E.V.A. • �+33(0)322831189 • www.appeva.org

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