HAUTS-DE-FRANCE ❘ GREAT DESTINATIONS 12 MUST-SEE SITES Explore the best green spaces and countryside attractions of Hauts-de-France For more


places to visit, go to www. hautsdefrance tourism.com


SITE DES DEUX CAPS


Walk or cycle the headlands of the Channel Coast with views across the water to England on a clear day. Information, local produce and exhibitions available at the visitor centre. www.lesdeuxcaps.fr


AUDOMAROIS MARSHES Explore the fabulous flora and fauna and the stories of the people who have shaped this wetland market gardening


community surrounded by nature. Regular boat excursions available. www.lamaisondumarais.com


MUSVERRE, SARS-POTERIES


Discover historic collections plus contemporary glass by international artists in this


excellent museum in the heart of the beautiful Avesnois countryside. www.musverre.lenord.fr


LAON


Explore with an audio guide on loan from the Laon Tourist Office (children’s version and English


version both available), or pick up the free leaflet to the self-guided trail around this pretty town. www.tourisme-paysdelaon.com


CÔTE 2004


This huge hillside memorial at Château-Thierry honours the


American soldiers who gave their lives in the Great War. Also close by is the Aisne-Marne American cemetery at Belleau. www.abmc.gov


CHÂTEAU DE COMPIÈGNE


This home to kings and emperors is open daily 10am to 6pm apart from Tuesdays and public holidays. Park open from 8am until 5pm- 7pm, depending on season. www.chateaudecompiegne.fr


ARMISTICE MUSEUM


This forest clearing at Compiègne has a replica of the railway


carriage where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, as well as a memorial garden and museum. Open daily from 10am. www.armistice-museum.com


CHÂTEAU DE PIERREFONDS


This is an intriguing example of a 19th-century reinvention of the Middle Ages. Take time too to explore the pretty small town below the castle walls.


www.monuments-nationaux.fr


CHÂTEAU DE CHANTILLY History, horses and an outstanding art collection are on offer at this glorious estate with formal gardens by Andre Le Nôtre, plus Chinese and English gardens. Closed Tuesdays.


www.châteaudechantilly.fr


HORTILLONNAGES, AMIENS


Small cultivated islands shaped by generations of market gardeners known as ‘hortillons’ from natural marshland surrround the old bed of the River Somme. www.visit-amiens.com


SOMME VALLEY


As well as the moving memorials to the victims of the Great War, there are a range of outdoor pursuits here, from river trips and angling to birdwatching, hiking and cycling.


www.visit-somme.com


AZINCOURT


Step back into the Middle Ages at Azincourt1415 interactive


museum and then walk or drive beside the medieval battlefield and absorb the atmosphere of the great battle.


www.azincourt1415.com ❯❯ Jun/Jul 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 103


IMAGES © GILLIAN THORNTON


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132