Doullens: History, Architecture and Places of Remembrance

Doullens brings together several cultural and historical highlights: the Citadel, the collections of the Musée Lombart, places of remembrance relating to the First World War, and buildings with distinctive architectural features. When choosing a hotel in Doullens, it may help to decide first whether you want to focus mainly on the history of fortifications, art and local history, wartime events, or architecture.

The Citadel and the Musée Lombart collections

The Citadelle de Doullens is the oldest fortified site in France. The Musée Lombart has held the designation of a Musée de France since 17 September 2003. Its notable collections include French and foreign paintings from the 17th to the 19th centuries, ceramics, bronzes, documents on local history, and Egyptian antiquities. Its collections thus range from regional history to Egyptian antiquities; the paintings cover a distinct period, from the 17th to the 19th century. This makes it possible to distinguish a focus on art and collections from the history of the fortified site.

Places of remembrance relating to the First World War

The Salle du Commandement Unique commemorates the meeting held in Doullens on 26 March 1918, which led to the unified command of the Allied troops under General Foch. Visitors can use a digital table and two freely accessible virtual reality headsets that recreate the historic meeting. As visitor technology may change, check in advance whether this offering is available for your visit.

Another historical reference point is the Calvaire Foch, on the heights north of Doullens. It stands at the spot where the first German 240 mm shell struck in August 1914. The monument’s plinth bears a high-relief medallion of Marshal Foch and a bas-relief depicting three soldiers, an airman and two infantrymen. The dates August 1914 and March 1918 mark two distinct historical events: the shell strike and the meeting that led to the unified command of the Allied troops.

The Church and the Belfry

The Église Saint-Pierre is notable for its triforium with pointed arches and slender columns. A bas-relief depicting the Ascension can also be seen on the outer wall of the south aisle; the relief is damaged. The church was listed as a historic monument on 4 September 1924. The architectural detail and the listing highlight different aspects: the triforium describes the building’s design, while the date records the church’s official historic-monument status.

The present-day Beffroi de Doullens was built in 1613 from brick and stone in the rusticated masonry style. It was added to the inventory of historic monuments in 1966 and recognized by UNESCO in 2005. The two dates refer to different forms of recognition; UNESCO recognition should not be confused with inclusion in the French inventory.

A circular route as another option

The 15 km Circuit de Beaurepaire circular route links Doullens, Amplier, Halloy and Grouches-Luchuel. If you would like to plan a route alongside the cultural and historical highlights, it offers a distinct focus. Check the latest route details before setting out, as they may change.

The places and topics mentioned differ both in historical period and in character: fortifications and collections sit alongside wartime and architectural history. Choose the focus that interests you most for your stay, then look for a hotel in Doullens.

Discover more destinations: Vers-Sur-Selles, Saint-Léger-Sur-Bresle, Beaumetz, Tilloloy, Béhen, Lucheux, Folleville, Cocquerel

For the broader travel overview: Somme.