Throughout its gothic towns, one of France’s lesser-known departments may surprise you with bagpipes and cheesy dishes displaying its heritage.
Visit Picardy to discover a historic and proud region filled with gothic architecture and cultural traditions. Between quaint and intriguing towns, its varied terrain comprises beaches, dense forests and great open meadows.
For a detailed understanding of the area, head to the Musée de Picardie in Amiens. Stay in the city center and visit Gambetta Square, the Cathédrale Notre Dame and the Jules Verne House. On a nice day, ride a boat along the stream of the Hortillonnages Floating Gardens and browse the items in the water market.
Amiens lies in the Somme area, near the battlefields of World War I. Travel east for the Franco-Australian Museum, the Historial de la Grande Guerre and the Somme 1916 Museum, among other sites shedding light on the Battle of the Somme.
Venture through the Oise region and enjoy the sights of Beauvais, with its 13th-century Saint Pierre Cathedral. For an outdoor setting, trek around the lakes of the gorgeous Plan d’Eau du Canada. In the nearby town of Compiègne, explore a range of historic attractions as well as the Compiègne Forest and the Château de Pierrefonds.
Farther north, reach the sprawling agricultural fields of the serene Aisne region, which is known for its sugar beets. Delve into the subterranean caves of Corbeny and marvel at the 12th-century cathedral of Laon.
Note that some locals still speak the Picard dialect. Although the language appears to be gradually dying out, the fierce cultural and historical identity lives on through pipasso bagpipes, a cheesy ficelle Picarde dish and gothic architecture.
Picardy stands between Paris and the Opal Coast along France’s northern shores. It is in the heart of the Hauts-de-France region, stretching from the Somme Estuary to the vineyards of Champagne. From Paris, rent a car and drive north for 70 miles (110 kilometers) to reach the regional center in 1 to 2 hours.
