James Litston (see ‘Perfect Picardy’) loved his walk across the Baie de Somme. After all, the Bay of Somme is a member of the “Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World” having huge expanses of open water, marshes, dunes and saltwater meadows where the sea, the land and sky seem to merge. Its wide mouth opening into the English Channel offers exceptional vistas that constantly change with the tides and seasons.

James was also captivated by the Parc du Marquenterre, one of France’s major sites for migrating birds but there are lots of other things to see and do in this fascinating region of Picardy. Try the Somme Bay Railway that offers an unusual way of exploring the Bay.

The Amiens region

Drive inland to Amiens for a break that can be both cultural and festive: the Cathedral, an immense stone building, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


The magnificent stained glass window in Amiens Cathedral

During the summer and in December, as night falls, “The Cathedral in Colours” light show brings to life the saints, apostles and other figures that decorate Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral.

Other events not to be missed include the Jazz Festival in March, the Street Arts Festival in June, the giant flea-markets (réderies) in April and October and the Christmas Market in December.

The little houses of the Saint-Leu district crowd round the foot of the cathedral, right down to the waterfront. Their jaunty frontages house bars, restaurants, antique shops and craft workshops that are well worth a visit.


Historic riverside properties in Amiens

In the heart of the city, you can take a tour in a barque à cornet around the 300 hectares of the Hortillonnages, or floating gardens. Also a must is a visit to the House of Jules Verne, who settled here.

The Upper Somme Valley

The eastern area of the Somme was marked by the Great War, and in particular by the appalling Battle of the Somme in 1916 that left behind terrible scars. The events are remembered by memorials, museums and battle sites, that can be visited by following the Circuit of Remembrance (Circuit du Souvenir).


One of the lakes of the Bae du Somme.

The Somme River winds from its source to the Bay that bears its name, and creates a mosaic of lakes, which can be seen from several well laid-out vantage points overlooking the valley (Belvédère de Vaux, Frise or Corbie).

Take a trip on the P’tit train de la Haute Somme (The Upper Somme Valley Railway) that wanders through the valley along the banks of the Somme offering some wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

For full tourist information visit: www.visit-somme.com; and for weekend breaks: www.weekend-picardy.co.uk

How To Get There from U.K

By ferry from the Ports of Calais (drive time Calais – Picardy 1 hour 40 minutes), Boulogne (drive time Boulogne – Picardy 1 hour 15 minutes) and Dieppe (drive time Dieppe – Picardy 1 hour 30 minutes).

P&O Ferries operate return sailings daily between Dover and Calais with a crossing time of 1 hour 30 minutes. For information and to book please click on the P&O advertisement at the side of this article or from UK call: 08716 646464.

LD Lines operates four return sailings daily between Dover and Boulogne with a crossing time of 1 hour 45 minutes.

LD/Transmanche Ferries operate two return sailings daily between Newhaven and Dieppe with a crossing time of 4 hours. For information and to book visit www.ldlines.com or from UK call: 0844 576 8836.

Other cross channel services include Eurotunnel - www.eurotunnel.com; SeaFrance – www.seafrance.com and Norfolkline – www.norfolkline.com