Somme: From the Bay of the Somme to Amiens Cathedral, nature and culture in Picardy

When should you travel to the Somme?

The Somme is a great destination all year round:

• In summer, the weather is pleasant and mild, without suffocating from the heat - perfect for getting out on the water. It's also high season (July and especially August): there are more people everywhere, and accommodation is full up, so remember to book in advance, especially in the Baie de Somme!
• In autumn and winter, it's just the opposite, with far fewer people everywhere: we're out of season. Some seasonal addresses are closed. It's quieter, and the Baie de Somme is magnificent in the pale winter sunshine, as if under a thick layer of greyness.
• In spring, the light is splendid, and nature is lush and green all over the Somme. It's also a good time to watch migratory birds along the coast.

How long can you stay in the Somme?

The great thing about the Somme is that it lends itself to all kinds of breaks. A weekend by the sea from Paris? The Bay of the Somme is just 2 hours away. Given the beauty of the Picardy coast, it's easy to linger for a week's holiday, or even longer. And that's before you've explored the Somme valley, Amiens and its hortillonnages, or the First World War Memorial Trail inland...

Transport in the Somme

As is often the case, the most practical way to visit the Somme is by car, either your own or hired locally. This will give you complete freedom of movement.

By train, the Somme is served by the TGV at Haute-Picardie station, which is unfortunately a long way from the département. As a result, Amiens is the main station, with frequent connections from Paris Gare du Nord. The line continues on to Abbeville, then Noyelles-sur-Mer to bring you closer to the Bay of the Somme by train.

The region also lends itself well to long-distance cycling: with few hills and plenty of cycle paths, including a long greenway along the Somme, don't hesitate to bring your own bikes for your holiday. There are plenty of cycle hire facilities on site.

Culinary specialities of the Somme

To be devoured on the spot or taken home, ficelle picarde from Amiens, Maroilles (AOC cheese), Amiens macaroons and speculoos will delight the taste buds of visitors hungry for the fresh air of this region still rooted in its terroir. In the bakeries of Abbeville and the Baie de Somme, the gâteau battu is a speciality brioche served for breakfast or a snack.

In the maritime part of the Somme, the cuisine logically turns to seafood, with samphire, cockles (known here as hénons), scallops and fresh fish. But there's also an in-between land and sea: salt-meadow lamb from the Bay of the Somme, renowned for its brown, finely iodised and low-fat meat, has been awarded an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée).

Danger and safety on the Somme

Always check the tide times when you go for a walk in the Baie de Somme. On these large, flat stretches of land, the sea rises very quickly, especially on days with high coefficients: beware, the danger is real! Pools and channels form quickly, and you run the risk of finding yourself trapped on a sandbank, cut off from the beach. Take a walk when the tide is ebbing, but stay close to the beach as high tide approaches.