Somme: Discover coastal landscapes, culture and nature

Coastal landscapes and birdlife

The landscape of the Baie de Somme ranges from low-lying fields to cliffs, dunes and shingle banks. The Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la Baie de Somme is of national importance for breeding and overwintering waterbirds. This brings two distinct phases of the bird year into focus: breeding and overwintering. If you are interested in waterbirds and coastal landscapes, this offers a clear nature focus for your trip.

Important habitats in the nature reserve include dunes, salt marshes and grassland. The Baie de Somme is also home to a seal population. This means that different habitats and animal groups come together under one nature theme, without limiting your visit to just one type of wildlife watching.

The Hortillonnages in Amiens offer another perspective on water and landscape: they cover 265 hectares, with canals, stretches of water and a variety of gardens. From central Amiens, you can reach the area via a towpath of more than three kilometres, with signs explaining the route. For planning, it is advisable to check the latest access information, as route details may change.

Architecture, urban history and museums

Amiens Cathedral is one of France’s largest churches and one of the most complete Gothic churches of the 13th century. It was built mainly between 1220 and 1288 and recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This time span gives your visit a specific historical context; at the same time, the cathedral is a major architectural highlight of Somme.

Canals, small bridges and colourful houses shape the townscape of the Saint-Leu district. Its history includes medieval watermills. Another way to explore the past in Amiens is the Maison de Jules Verne: the house is open to the public, and Jules Verne lived there as a tenant from 1882 to 1900. In Péronne, the Historial de la Grande Guerre presents the First World War from cultural, social and military perspectives.

Nature experiences and route choices

At Parc du Marquenterre, visitors can make use of nature trails, information boards, observation posts and guided nature walks. The Maison de la Baie de Somme introduces visitors to the area through interactive exhibits; outings in the bay, workshops and activities are offered by nature guides. These different formats let you choose between exploring independently, taking part in interpretive activities or joining guided outings. As visitor facilities and programmes may change, check the latest information before planning your visit.

Outdoor routes also differ in length and how you travel. The Circuit de la Canardière is an eleven-kilometre walking route between Amiens and Longueau. The Véloroute Vallée de Somme, by contrast, is a 160-kilometre cycling route from Ham to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, following the river for most of its length.

The Baie de Somme also has 77 kilometres of cycling infrastructure and nine discovery loops. In addition, there is a steam railway with four stations, as well as SNCF connections in Noyelles-sur-Mer and Rue. If you are planning a train journey or a particular connection, it is worth checking the latest timetable. Marais des Bœufs has picnic, play and fishing areas, making it possible to enjoy a range of activities in one place.

Regional cuisine

Somme specialities include salicorne, gâteau battu, pâté de canard d’Amiens and a baked leek tart. Restaurant offerings and recipes may vary. A particular story connects Amiens with Ficelle picarde: according to tradition, it originated there in the 1950s. The chef Marcel Lefèvre created the dish at the Hotoie exhibition fair. You can explore the region’s culinary side through both local dishes and a recipe associated with Amiens.

Discover more destinations

Camps-En-Amiénois, Sourdon, Cahon Gouy, Contre, Épagne-Épagnette, Noyelles-Sur-Mer, Boubert, Saigneville, Beaucamps-Le-Vieux, Vers-Sur-Selles, Neufmoulin, Tœufles, Boismont, Yzengremer, Gueudecourt, Buire-Courcelles, Omiécourt, Pendé, Arrest, Estrébœuf, Mouflières, Béthencourt-Sur-Mer, Aumâtre, Beaumetz, Gueschart, Roisel, Regnière-Écluse, Mailly-Maillet, Suzanne, Cappy, L'étoile, Ailly-Sur-Noye, Épaumesnil, Béalcourt, Lucheux, Hangest-En-Santerre, Domvast, Tilloloy, Fossemanant, Domléger-Longvillers, Bouzincourt, Carnoy, Moislains, La Faloise, Vauchelles-Lès-Domart, Acheux-En-Vimeu, Airaines, Frettecuisse, Velennes, Saint-Léger-Lès-Authie, Courcelles-Au-Bois, Ailly-sur-Somme, Doullens, Conty, Cocquerel, Bresle, Cramont, Plachy-Buyon, Drucat, Sentelie, Frise, Bray-sur-Somme, Villers-sous-Ailly, Laleu, Méaulte, Doingt, Valines, Fransu, Ponches-Estruval, Longavesnes, Rouy-le-Petit, Bernes, Naours, Longueval, Hem-Hardinval, Baizieux, Aveluy, Treux, Boufflers, Bourseville, Beauquesne, Boussicourt, Bray-lès-Mareuil, Sains-en-Amiénois, Corbie, Nibas, Esclainvillers, Villers-Bretonneux, Bernay-en-Ponthieu, Vaux-Marquenneville, Poix, Péronne, Mers-Les-Bains, Vismes, Outrebois, Bouvaincourt-Sur-Bresle, Nampont, Saint-Valery-Sur-Somme, Aigneville, Petit Port, Quesnoy-Le-Montant, Vron, Cayeux-Sur-Mer, Machy, Méneslies, Mesnil-Domqueur, Miannay, Moyenneville, Ochancourt, Rue, Saint-Léger-Sur-Bresle, Huchenneville, Feuquières-En-Vimeu, Pont-Remy, Longpré-Les-Corps-Saints, Lanchéres, Crécy-En-Ponthieu, Woincourt, Gamaches, Favières, Nesle, Beauval, Woignarue, Belloy-Sur-Somme, Gapennes, Forest-Montiers, Yaucourt-Bussus, Montigny-Sur-L'hallue, Argoules, Villers-Sur-Authie, Saint-Blimont, Friville-Escarbotin, Eaucourt-Sur-Somme, Canchy, Nouvion, Flesselles, Vadencourt, Ailly-Le-Haut-Clocher, Chépy, Camon, Beauchamps, Port-Le-Grand, Vironchaux, Assevillers, Amiens, Rancourt, Saint-Quentin-En-Tourmont, Oust-Marest, Abbeville, Longueau, Ergnies, Estrées-Lès-Crécy, Fort-Mahon-Plage, Franleu, Fressenneville, Grand-Laviers, Jumel, Lignières-En-Vimeu, Mareuil Caubert, Poulainville, Glisy, Boves, Bailleul, Fontaine-Sur-Somme, Forest-L'abbaye, Albert, Quend, Sailly-Flibeaucourt, Arquèves, Saint-Riquier, Roye, Dury, Fontaine-Sur-Maye, Neuvillette, Béhen, Cahon, Folleville, Creuse, Berny-En-Santerre, Ault, Breuil, Cerisy-Buleux, Tours-En-Vimeu, Villers-Bocage, Buigny-Saint-Maclou, Le Crotoy

For the broader travel overview: Picardy.