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Picardy (Picardie in France) is one of the 26 regions of France. It is located in the northern part of France.
Historically, France was born here when Clovis made Soissons the first capital of the Franks, in 486, and later Hugues Capet, elected king of France at Senlis, was crowned at Noyon in 987. This proud past made Picardy the first French region, not only for historical buildings and monuments but, also, the premier region for its Gothic cathedrals. Amiens has been specially honoured, by UNESCO, for its architectural heritage. From an area 30 kms North of Paris, close to the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, the southerm boundaries stretch eastwards towards Champagne and the Belgian border. Westwards, it extends to the English Channel. This ancient and hospitable region will not disappoint the visitor, with its choice of 4,000 hectares of lakeland, 1,200 kms of rivers, 70 kms of dunes, cliffs and luminous beaches, coastal marshes, forests and the bays at the river mouths of the Somme and the Authie. Some of France's finest cathedrals are situated in Picardy. Its capital, Amiens boasts an impressive Gothic cathedral and if this is not enough - try the popular cathedral cities of Reims and Laon.The Somme River winds through Picardy and is home to extensive wildlife and estuary land. To the south of Amiens, much of Picardy is flat agricultural land. As you head southeast, the countryside has wooded hills that begin to merge with the plains of nearby Champagne. Here you will find the historical towns of Soissons and Compiegne, which is famed for its royal palace, built for hunting, on the edge of a forest. Popular places include: The Parc Asterix - one of the most popular theme parks in France, dedicated not only to Asterix but also French history. A fun but educational day out! Somme Valley - boating, camping, walking and fishing along the banks of the pretty Somme river. Peronne - the Historial de la Grande Guerre is a good starting point for World War I history with cemeteries, battlefields and memorials surrounding the area. Marquenterre - visit the Parc Ornithologique de Marquenterre, a bird sanctuary surrounded by beautiful dunes, salt marshes and pine forests. |
