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  • Step into France's greatest garden region

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You only need to take a short hop across the English Channel to experience distinct French flavours, by renting a holiday gite in the rural region of Picardy.
Boasting an important religious heritage and the greatest number of private and public garden-owners and enthusiasts, this agricultural hub offers the perfect retreat if you want to enjoy a relaxed French gite holiday with loved ones.
Outside your country cottage you'll find a wealth of fascinating sights that showcase the area's rich religious heritage, with Gothic cathedrals, ancient abbeys, and iconic churches and castles among the gems to explore.

Things to see and do in Picardy

Step out of your French holiday gite to discover this religious region…

  • Contrasting landscapes: This really is the region of varying views, with a rich countryside criss-crossed with forests, hedged farmland, plains of cereal crops and marshes used for vegetable farming, and fringed with the coastline's chalk cliffs, pure sand beaches and sand dunes.
  • Unspoilt countryside: Follow unhurried nature trails through the Forest of Compiègne.
  • Château de Pierrefonds castle: As picturesque as the castle in Sleeping Beauty, this breathtaking 14th-century building is situated just nine miles from Compiegne. A collection of ornamental masterpieces can be admired inside the castle.
  • Parks and gardens: With 67 public gardens to explore, spoil your senses with the natural beauty of the flowers and plants, and discover more about the gardens from the local gardeners who are eager to share their green tips.
  • The National Tapestry Gallery, Beauvais: Designed by the architect André Hermant in 1964, discover modern exhibitions showcasing national furniture and textile treasures.

Tastes of Picardy

  • Chantilly crème: The indulgent whipped cream, sweetened with sugar and flavoured with vanilla, was invented at Château Chantilly in the 17th century.
  • Pot au feu: Beef and vegetable stew.
  • Ficelle picarde: A rolled-up ham pancake, which is filled with mushrooms, then smothered in béchamel sauce and baked in an oven until the top is deliciously crisp and golden.

Don't miss...

  • Amiens: The Gothic cathedral is awesome in its scale and elaborate intricacy. While you're in town, explore the medieval quarter of St Leu and see Les Hortillonnage's floating gardens.

Our regional team recommends

  • Notre-Dame d'Amiens cathedral: Explore one of the largest Gothic buildings ever erected, constructed in 1220.
  • Notre-Dame d'Amiens
  • The Baie de Somme: Bask in this vast coastal retreat where you can spot rare birds, play golf, visit gardens or simply relax on the beach.
  • Parc Asterix: A perfect day out for the whole family, this popular attraction is the most visited theme park in France.

Did you know...?

Picardy is the birthplace of Gothic architecture. Amiens is the largest cathedral in France, while Beauvais is the tallest.

Nearest Airports

Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Beauvais.

Nearest Ferryports

Calais and Dunkerque.

Travel Tip

Take advantage of the local wild forests, where you'll spot rare bird species.