After a somewhat forced engagement, Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais are now united by the bonds of marriage. Whoever looks alike comes together, you may think... but newlyweds aren't entirely alike. This complementarity is even a real asset! Two examples to illustrate this: the Boulonnais and the Amiénois.
Picardy brought in the bride's basket its superb Gothic cathedrals and castles, its beautiful forests and the amazing charm of the Somme bay. The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region's assets include its belfries, its fortifications, its large squares and its museums? From the very chic south of the Oise to the long beaches of the north, the atmosphere and the setting vary. It is on the landscape side that the variety is the most marked. The scenery often changes with the vineyards of Champagne, the great agricultural plains of Santerre, the wild berries of the Somme and the Authie, the dizzying cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez or Ault, the emblematic slag heaps or the Audomarois marshes and the famous hortillonnages of Amiens... For the ceremony, one could only dream of a civil marriage in one of the 23 belfries classified by UNESCO and a religious union in the Notre-Dame d'Amiens cathedral. For the alliances, one could have offered the Ring of Memory of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (Pas-de-Calais) and the other the Peace Alliance of the clearing of the Armistice of Compiègne (Oise). The bride-to-be could have worn a wedding dress just out of the workshops of the Cité de la mode et de la dentelle de Calais... Admit it would have looked great! The contribution of these two ancient regions is so rich that we propose to illustrate it with two different and complementary destinations: the Amiénois in the Somme and the Boulonnais in the Pas-de-Calais
A very rich heritage
Let's start with the majestic Notre Dame d'Amiens Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic building in the world and dazzles us with the delicacy of its lines, the elegance of its white stone lace and its real "sculpted bible" on the façade. Beneath its flamboyant rose window, there are indeed 3,000 characters who tell us the religious story. To better appreciate this masterpiece (built in half a century!), we advise you to see the cathedral by day and then by night, during the magical show "The Cathedral in Colour" offered all summer long and in December. A projection of images colours the figures, seeming to bring them back to life
As for greatness, Boulogne-sur-Mer is not to be outdone. It must be said that its history goes back more than 2,000 years and that it was one of the first cities in France to have obtained the precious label "City of Art and History". Its basilica, which can be seen from afar with a dome of more than 103 m, visible to fishermen on the high seas, is proof of this! A true emblem of the city, it was built 150 years ago.
Boulogne-sous-terre: the largest crypt in France!
You know Boulogne-sur-Mer, but do you know Boulogne-sous-terre? Reopened in 2015 after five years of work, the basilica's crypt is one of the largest in France and covers 1,400 m². In the frescoed rooms, you can admire the exceptional remains, the lapidary collections and the famous treasures of sacred art. The uses of the crypt have been multiple: first as a sanctuary for the church to venerate sacred relics, it temporarily hosted worship following the collapse of the basilica's vaults in 1921, then as a shelter for part of the population during the Second World War. Its very good acoustics and its very special atmosphere allow it today to be used occasionally as a concert hall.
The treasure of the Boulonnais explorers
Boulogne-sur-Mer is definitely not lacking in assets, with a pleasant walk along the ramparts of the old town and a visit to the medieval castle built on Gallo-Roman fortifications. From this period, there are still underground passages and the Barbière room, which served as a warehouse, barracks and even a prison until the Liberation. This museum invites you on a journey through surprising collections: an Ancient Department, a remarkable collection of objects from Alaska, one of the most important collections from Oceania in the North of France, etc. Children will be impressed by these objects and will be able to follow the visit thanks to Isidore, a little boy whom they will find in playful and interactive booklets. In a completely different style, the Department of Fine and Decorative Arts offers a fine collection of Italian and Flemish paintings from the 15th to the 17th century, as well as French paintings from the 19th century. We end this visit with another part of Boulogne's rich heritage: a whole room dedicated to the Napoleonic epic. A stele reminds us of the first ceremony to award the Legion of Honour to 2,000 soldiers and civilians in April 1804. A project for an interpretation centre on Napoleonic history could be set up in the coming years in the elegant palace where the emperor stayed. It is located next to the town hall and the 12th century belfry which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jules Verne and Victor Hugo inspired by the North
If an international celebrity such as Napoleon left his mark on the region, he is not the only one, since the Hauts-de-France region is associated with great names in literature such as Jean de la Fontaine, Alexandre Dumas (from the Aisne), Victor Hugo or Jules Verne. The latter has a strong history with Amiens, of which he was an alderman. To plunge into his fascinating world, you have to visit the house where he lived for eighteen years. A few minutes walk away, there is also a circus named after him. The other place imbued with the spirit of the author is of course his grave, in the cemetery of the Madeleine. On the way to find this tomb, one is almost embarrassed to find the romantic place, with its curiously mixed tree species and irregular slopes
Jules Verne also appreciated the regional coastline, as did another illustrious writer, Victor Hugo. This one evoked with attachment the cliffs of Ault, but his memory is especially present in Montreuil-sur-Mer. It is in this charming town, half an hour south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, that the first part of Les Misérables takes place. A large live show attended by more than 10,000 people pays tribute to him every summer. The city also attracts for its ramparts and the cachet of its medieval town
Hardelot Castle: an architectural must!
The Hauts-de-France are also famous for their elegant seaside resorts such as Le Touquet or Wimereux. The Belle Époque Villas rival each other in originality and eccentricity along the wide pedestrian avenues. At Mers-les-Bains, a little further south, it is more Art Nouveau that is the order of the day. Inland, in Amiens, a change of atmosphere in the Saint-Leu district to which the city owes its nickname of "little Venice of the North". The narrow, one-storey brick houses along the Somme are much less posh and are reminiscent of the old workers' towns. Renovated and colourful, they now contribute to the charm of this very festive district
You will find in Condette another example of original architecture with a neo-gothic manor house worthy of a fairy tale! The Pas-de-Calais Departmental Council has invested a great deal to transform it into an ambitious site dedicated to Franco-British relations through the prism of art, culture and heritage. Hardelot Castle highlights the Entente Cordiale (diplomatic treaty signed in 1904 between France and England after centuries of tormented relations) and shows the Hundred Years War, such as the marriage of Charles I and Henriette Marie de France in 1625, the arrival of Queen Victoria in Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1855, or the caricatures of Napoleon sharing the world with his English counterpart, and more recently the construction of the Channel Tunnel. The castle has also been refurbished with an interior characteristic of the Victorian era. Each of the nine rooms cultivates its own atmosphere and is beautifully enhanced by the works of art from the national and regional museums and the National Furniture Museum. In the dining room, chairs bought by Napoleon III in London are still enthroned. From the billiard room to the smoking room, from the library to the private apartments, French and British influences can be seen in every detail: the tiles with patterns similar to those of the London Parliament, the fleurs-de-lis on the wallpaper alongside the Tudor rose on the ceiling. Last September, a new temporary exhibition space was created in one of the wings of the castle, with a bold bias towards very contemporary architecture. After a remarkable exhibition on fashions at the time of Queen Victoria, from March 25 to October 8 it will host a monumental video installation entitled "Lupanar" by Nicolas Tourte. It is a stimulating experience, that of feeling the flow of water circulating and flowing inside and outside our body in a movement where the trajectories merge
A British atmosphere in the only Elizabethan theatre in France
Inaugurated in June, this 400-seat wooden Elizabethan theatre fits perfectly into the decor and offers an eclectic programme. Its rounded architecture inspired by the Globe Theatre in London arouses curiosity and its acoustics delight the initiated. The theatre is not open to the public, so make a note of the year's major events: Medieval Spring in April; Shakespeare Nights in May; the renowned Midsummer Festival of music, theatre and opera in June-July; the Summer Season and finally the Edwardian Christmas. Before enjoying your show, don't hesitate to take advantage of the site which offers beautiful walks just a stone's throw from the sea. You'll have a wide choice between the Lake of Mirrors, the dunes of Mont Saint-Frieux, the nature reserve, the Hardelot forest and, at the foot of the ramparts, the Renaissance-inspired Tudor gardens surrounded by two moats and dotted with daffodils and roses. For gourmets, the very pretty tea room with its terracotta floor tiles, winter garden and piano will offer you a chicken pie with a carrot cake before your show
From the beaches of the Opal Coast to the Hortillonnages of Amiens
The territories presented are "water lands" with a changing coastline over some 50 kilometres. Let's start between Le Touquet and Étaples, on the Canche estuary. It is certainly less well known than the bays of the Somme and the Authie, but it has more or less the same characteristics with a preserved and wild charm. The natural park is a protected area of 45 hectares to be walked preferably in boots with a guide. You may be lucky enough to come across migratory birds and even seals basking on the sandbanks. In Wimereux, the series of long beaches continues, then it's time for the cliffs of the famous Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez, which are classified as "Grands sites de France" with an exceptional environment to be discovered on foot or by boat.
Beyond the landscapes it draws, the sea is also significant for the activity it generates. Boulogne-sur-Mer is France's leading fishing port and the leading European centre for the processing, marketing and distribution of seafood products. At the entrance to the port, at the foot of the two giants Batisse and Zabelle, stop at the fish stalls, they truly participate in the identity of the city. From 13 to 16 July, the sea will be celebrated with a gathering of traditional boats, trips to the open sea, ships open for visits, sea song concerts and tastings... This pride in maritime identity can also be discovered with the Maison de la Beurière (reconstructed habitat of a family of sailors around 1900), the sailors' ordeal decorated with ex-votos and buoys, or the Marais Sea Fishing Discovery Centre in Étaples. To breathe even more good iodized air, why not sleep in the upside-down boat hulls of Équihen-Plage? Recovered in the past as makeshift shelters by the most destitute, they provide all the necessary comfort with feet almost in the water. The main attraction around the marine world is of course Nausicaa, which celebrated its 25th anniversary and has around 600,000 visitors a year. More than a huge aquarium with 1,000 species and 36,000 marine animals, it is a very well thought-out fun and educational space. Extension work has begun to create a new 9,500 m² pond, unique in Europe, to accommodate new species. Next to the site, children can enjoy rides, games, mini golf and a large sandy beach.
Ships are also discussed in Amiens, but in a different way! Flat-bottomed and resembling gondolas, they come to bring their vegetables on Saturdays to the quays of the Saint-Leu district. The market gardeners who present these products come from the hortillonnages that start less than a kilometre from the town centre. On 300 hectares, they group together a maze of gardens on the water. This unique venue has given rise to an avant-garde festival that runs from June to October to showcase the projects of visual and landscape artists as well as live performances
Water sports in the wind
With such playgrounds, the region obviously offers outdoor activities. Thus, the long windy beaches are ideal for sand yachting. Éole also favours kite-surfing and kite enthusiasts. Still at sea, you can take advantage of beautiful kayak trips to discover the wild coasts of the Baie de Somme, and even why not in a Polynesian pirogue to meet the seals! One would think that the Amiens has no assets in this area, think again! The water ski lift is an activity to discover in Dreuil-lès-Amiens. A little further on, go rafting in Picquigny, it's the only natural spot in the north of the country!
For those who prefer the mainland, the Boulonnais is renowned for its golf courses, with superb courses in Le Touquet, Hardelot and Wimereux. Equestrian and pedestrian outings are also popular. In the Amiénois, the lack of relief and wind favours cycling outings. The Metropolis has understood this and is promoting this practice by offering signposted routes and a very good rental service next to the SNCF railway station. The Tourist Office has even created themed routes and guided bike tours during the summer. Finally, if we want to talk about aerial activity, in addition to the presence of an aerodrome, we will note the possibility of climbing in the Amiens with a balloon. But sport is digging in, so there's nothing like a bit of local gastronomy on the menu: Picardy string, mussels and chips, beaten cake, all washed down with a good local beer to celebrate the marriage of Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais!
Smart info
When? Visits are possible all year round. Cultural and popular events are also numerous, such as the "réderies" ("braderie" in Picardy) in Amiens on 9 April and 1 October, the "Art, villes & paysage" festival in the Hortillonnages from June to October, the Mid-summer festival at the Château d'Hardelot in June-July, or the Fête de la Mer in Boulogne in July.
Getting there. By train, plane or car, anything is possible.
Find your flight at the best price - Compare
Book your train tickets - Book
Rent your car at the best price - Compare
Useful. To best prepare his escapade.
OFFICE DE TOURISME DE BOULOGNE-SUR-MER - More information on the site
OFFICE DE TOURISME D'AMIENS - More information on the site
CHATEAU D'HARDELOT - More information on the site
Book your hotel at the best conditions - Compare
Compare the best campsite offers - Compare
Visit France with passionate guides - Book
Find a cultural or sporting activity - Find
