PICARDIE ( PICARDY) TOURIST INFORMATION

Tourist information about the individual Picardie departments of Somme, Oise and Aisne can be found through every property details page along with tourist information about the local towns, tourist attractions and information about events happening in Picardie.

PICARDIE ( PICARDY) TOURISM

Historically, it is claimed that France was born in Picardie when Clovis made Soissons the first capital of the Franks, in 486, and later Hugues Capet, was elected king of France at Senlis and crowned at Noyon in 987. This proud past makes Picardy the original French region, not only for its historical buildings and monuments, but also the premier region for its numerous Gothic cathedrals. UNESCO has honoured Amiens, for its architectural heritage.

The name of Picardie first appeared in the XIIIth century. The origin of this name would appear to be pique (pike), the once preferred weapon of the Picards, which were then famous for being very aggressive.

From an area 30 kms North of Paris, close to Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, the southerm boundaries of Picardie stretch eastwards towards Champagne and the Belgian border. Westwards, the region extends to the English Channel. This ancient and now hospitable region will not disappoint visitors, with its 4,000 hectares of lakeland, 1,200 kms of rivers, 70 kms of sand dunes, mighty cliffs and luminous beaches, coastal marshes, forests and bays at the river mouths of the Somme and the Authie.

The old feudal domains of Amiénois (now department of Somme) and Vermandois (now the north of the department of Aisne) were incorporated into the royal domain in 1185 and 1191, respectively. In 1299, Picardie was constituted of the bailiwick (bailliage) of Amiens, subdivided into the provostships (prévôtés) of Amiens, Beauquesne, Doullens, Montreuil and Saint-Riquier. The bailiwick of Lille, established in 1304, was initially independent of Picardie.

In 1336, king Philippe de Valois conquered Ponthieu, which had been incorporated to the kingdom of England in 1272. In 1350, the Valois kings of France made Picardie a military province (gouvernement),but they had to return Ponthieu to England in 1360.

In 1435, Picardie (including Ponthieu) was ceded to the duchy of Burgundy by the treaty of Arras, and the province of Picardie disappeared. In 1477, after the death of duke of Burgundy Charles le Téméraire (the Bald), Louis XI invaded Picardie.

Picardie was increased in the XVIth century by the 'reconquested lands' (pays reconquis), around the cities of Calais and Boulogne. The fortified cities of Picardie ( Amiens, Abbeville, Corbie, Montdidier, Péronne, Roye) constituted the defense line of the northern border of France until the incoporation of Artois in 1659 by the treaty of the Pyrénées. Picardie has had a bloody history since time began.

A royal and majestic atmosphere is evoked by the chateaux of Pierrefonds, Compiègne and Chantilly. These architectural jewels, cleverly illuminated at night, rest in surroundings of gentle valleys, thick dark forests and beautiful gardens that lend themselves to exploring. Gerberoy and Senlis will plunge you back into the Middle Ages, whilst the Asterix Park or the Sea of Sand will keep the children amused.

Enjoy eating the ficelle picarde (pancakes and ham) or a gâteau battu, recipes that have been handed down over the centuries.