Picardy Gites

Our guide to...

Picardy

Art and culture are particularly important to the people of the Picardy region, and so it’s no wonder that it’s a region filled with interesting museums and wonderful theatres, art galleries and gardens. It’s also a paradise for food lovers, where local beers and a variety of delicacies can be found at restaurants in most towns and villages. In the birthplace of Gothic architecture, amongst red brick houses and impressive Gothic cathedrals, you can spend hour after hour capturing impressive buildings on camera. Picardy isn’t as popular as the other surrounding regions, but it’s got plenty to appeal if you’re willing to give it a try. Gitesearch - view of a typical self catering gite in the Picardy

With its forests, rivers and canals, the department of Aisne is a delight for walkers and cyclists. On your travels you’ll see hundreds of farms where residents are working hard to help prepare the cheeses, pâtés, ciders, beers, the honey and the mead that you’ll find sold in shops and served in Aisne’s restaurants. If you’re interested in visiting museums and castles, then you certainly won’t be disappointed. One of the most interesting castles is the Château de Septmonts, set in the heart of Septmonts village. Farm parks are the main attractions for kids, and they include the Les Caprices de Sidonie where coypu (or nutria) are bred for a wide range of products. There’s also an ostrich farm and a falconry centre, for any bird-lovers in your travel party!

The department of Oise is home to the spectacularly beautiful Beauvais Cathedral, perfect for a quiet afternoon, and to Parc Astérix, which is a popular theme park dedicated to the Gaul comic hero and his worldwide adventures. The two attractions couldn’t be much more different, which explains why so many people love Oise. It’s a department with diversity – a place that adults and children can both enjoy – and with the Parc Saint Paul theme park appealing to even the youngest of kids it’s great for a gîte holiday on which nobody has to compromise. If you’ve got a teenage daughter that loves horses, then take her to the famous Musée du Cheval. If you’re into wildlife photography then you won’t want to miss La Réserve Biologique Départementale de Nalliers. Treat the whole family to a day at Le Parc de Pierre-Brun, and visit the Atlantic Toboggan water park to appease your teenage son. Each day will be completely different to the last, and you’ll be making lasting family memories at some of the best attractions in France.

Most people will already have heard of the Somme department – where the Battle of the Somme took place in 1916. From the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux to the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, there are many reminders of the battles of World War I. The Musée Somme 1916 gives a deeper insight into the events, and there are some impressive historic castles and forts with their own stories to tell. Not all of Somme’s attractions are focused on the war, and one of the best alternatives is the Parc Samara – a living prehistoric museum. Recreations of prehistoric houses, and costumed members of staff, give an educational insight into the evolution of man from the Paleolithic period to the Iron Age. Le Zoo d’Amiens might be one of the smaller French zoos, but it still attracts more than 100,000 annual visitors for great days out with their families.

With the ongoing commemorations to WW1 renting a gite or cottage in this part of France has never given visitors a better opportunity to immerse themselves in the recent history of Europe. From sombre memorials that remind us to never forget to the delights of local food and drink, a self catering holiday in this area will create lasting memories.

Areas of Picardy

Aisne
With its forests, rivers and canals, the department of Aisne is a delight for walkers and cyclists. On your travels you'll see hundreds of farms where residents are working hard to help prepare the cheeses, pâtés, ciders, beers, the honey and the mead that you'll find sold in shops and served in Aisne's restaurants.

Oise
The department of Oise is home to the spectacularly beautiful Beauvais Cathedral, perfect for a quiet afternoon, and to Parc Astérix, which is a popular theme park dedicated to the Gaul comic hero and his worldwide adventures.

Somme
Most people will already have heard of the Somme department - where the Battle of the Somme took place in 1916. From the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux to the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, there are many reminders of the battles of World War I.