GREAT DESTINATIONS ❘ HAUTS-DE-FRANCE THINGS TO SEE AND DO There is plenty to do in Hauts-de-France whether you’re the outdoors type, a history buff, or a culture vulture
PROTECTED GREEN SPACES
Explore walking and cycling routes through the region’s Regional Nature Parks (PNRs) – the Caps et Marais d’Opales and the Avesnois but also the smaller PNR de Scarpe-Escaut north of Valenciennes and the PNR Oise-Pays de France in the far south around Senlis. Discover the walking trails of
the Clairmarais marshland reserve near Saint-Omer or take a boat ride around the nearby Audomarois from Maison du Marais
www.lamaisondumarais. com. At Maroilles, download the Baladavesnois app for a guided walk with interactive activities. And in Amiens take a boat tour with commentary through Les Hortillonnages www.
leshortillonnages-amiens.com.
The Jardins de Viels-Maisons is a family project in Aisne on the site of an 18th-century kitchen garden
Why not explore the Compiègne Forest on horseback?
For excursions on horseback
at Compiègne, visit www.pole-
equestre-compiegne.fr. Or ride a Henson in its home area of the Marquenterre in the Somme Bay
www.visit-somme.com. Amongst many glorious open gardens is the Jardins de Viels- Maisons, a family project in Aisne begun in 1991 on the site of an 18th-century kitchen garden
www.jardins-vielsmaisons.net. Close to the Somme Bay, tour the Abbey and Gardens of Valloires
www.jardinsdevalloires.fr and in Pas-de-Calais, explore the innovative themed areas of the Jardins de Séricourt – a classified jardin remarquable,
www.jardinsdesericourt.com.
104 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Jun/Jul 2023
GASTRONOMY Hauts-de-France is the official European Region of Gastronomy for 2023, thanks to its quality produce and a commitment to sustainability. In the Avesnois, buy beers, biscuits and a range of specialities from the Nord at Maison Defroidmont in Maroilles
www.boutique.
defroidmont.fr and from the Ferme du Pont des Loups cheese dairy and shop in Saint-Aubin www.
fermedupontdesloups.fr.
guided tours and masterclasses
www.champagne-meteyer.com. Advance booking advised.
CULTURE
The Renaissance château of Villers-Cotterêts in Aisne is due to reopen this summer after major restoration as home to the International Centre for the French Language
www.cite-
langue-francaise.fr
REMEMBRANCE Major Great War remembrance sites include Thiepval and the Chemin des Dames in the Somme Valley; the Canadian
For more
travel inspiration visit www. francetoday .com/travel-in- france
The Ring of Remembrance lists 579,606 soldiers who died in WWI
Pick up some moreish goodies at Ferme du Pont des Loups
Follow the Route du Champagne
www.champagne.fr through the Marne Valley to visit winemakers such as small family producer Daniel Gerbaux at Chézy-sur-Marne, www.
champagne-daniel-gerbaux.com, and Champagne Météyer, which also offers a small museum,
monument at Vimy Ridge in the north; and the American cemeteries and memorials of the Marne Valley. Immaculate cemeteries and memorials to all nationalities dot the countryside of Hauts-de-France.
A warm welcome awaits in the vineyards at Champagne Météyer
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Commonwealth War Graves at
www.cwgc.org and tour their visitor centre at Beaurains near Arras. Also near Arras is the Ring of Remembrance listing 579,606 soldiers who died in the countryside of Northern France during the First World War.
www.memorial1418.com
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