Get Lost in the Midieval Times in Picardy, France

France itself was born in the northern province of Picardy, located between the Marne and the Somme, for it was here that the Franks - ancestors of the French - first settled. Picardy is the first region and the historical beginning of France; it is a veritable treasure-trove of art and natural beauty. Calm woods, great forests, green pastures and quiet ponds blend with the peaceful, simple lifestyle of its people. It is the birthplace of Gothic architecture, as displayed by its cathedrals in Beauvais, Senlis, Laon, Noyon and the largest in Amiens. Prehistoric sites, Gallo-roman remains, abbeys, churches, castles and WWI battle sites bear vivid witness to this region's rich history.

The charm of its small medieval town of Senlis, or the riches of the châteaux at Pierrefonds, Coucy, Chantilly, Bagatelle and Compiègne, surrounded by magnificent gardens, parks and forests set a nostalgic mood enhanced during festivals, sound and light shows and Picardy games. Another pleasure inherited from the past - that of good food - is fastidiously cultivated. Local specialties include ficelle picarde (a thin crêpe wrapped around a slice of ham and topped with a cheesy cream sauce) and carbonnade flamande (beef and onions cooked in beer), along with other abundant products of the generous environment to give even the most demanding gourmet an appetite.

The Undiscovered Wonders of the Aisne Department
The little-known department of the Aisne represents a new, off-the-beaten-track destination for visitors looking for genuine authenticity and refreshing scenery. Heading from the north to the south, visitors will find a multitude of different landscapes (plains, gently undulating woodlands - hills and mountains, plateaux and valleys), which, with the 1,240 miles of marked walking and mountain-biking routes, are ideal for bicycle touring or walking. Furthermore, the department is irrigated by 195 miles of waterways (the second largest network in France), enabling both amateur sailors and professional barge cruisers to reach northern Europe, the Channel or Paris. The Aisne department thereby offers a rural stopover for their barges and boats. This formidable network is an ideal way to discover the wealth of tourist attractions within the department. There are at least two historic and artistic towns: Laon, the hill-side medieval city, and Soissons, the first capital of the kingdom of France; at least a dozen abbeys and châteaux (such as the Château de Condé, the home of princes); the fortified churches of the Thiérache; places of military remembrance such as the Dragon's Cave (1914-18); five state-owned forests; a superb horticultural heritage; invigorating and fun outdoor activities; and breathtakingly beautiful villages.

The Oise, a Truly Great Escape
The Oise was once the very cradle of France and still harbors many of its old values and traditions. Here kings and noblemen cultivated an exquisite way of life. With its immense forests, châteaux and cathedrals, half-timbered houses, sporting and leisure activities and meandering rivers, it could be hundreds of miles from Paris instead of a mere 27 miles. Although not usually seen as a holiday destination, its peace and quiet, its beauty and cultural diversity make the Oise an ideal place for a break. The department of the Oise is like a breath of fresh air on the very doorstep of Paris. Renowned for its builders, the Oise has no less than 3 cathedrals. Gothic architecture literally reached its highest point in Beauvais, whose cathedral boasts the "tallest Gothic chancel in the world". From the Château de Chantilly to the Imperial Palace of Compiègne, not forgetting the imposing Castle of Pierrefonds, no less than 300 châteaux were built between the reigns of François I and Napoleon III. Today many of them are home to superb museums. In the Condé Museum, housed within the Château of Chantilly, is the second largest collection of paintings in France after that of the Louvre. Defying the march of time, some towns are like living museums. The royal town of Senlis is one and visitors can tour it by horse and carriage to admire its narrow cobbled streets and stone houses.

The Oise has a number of theme parks of interest to young and old alike. They range from the oldest, the Mer de Sable (inland desert) to the famous Parc Asterix (the second largest theme park in France), not forgetting the Parc St Paul very popular with families and young children. The Oise offers an unending stream of public celebrations, events and shows - horse racing, nighttime celebrations (the Nuits de Feu d'Oise international fireworks competition), weekend getaways (the Rendez-Vous de Septembre) and outdoor activities (Red Fruit Festival).

The Oise is an oasis of green with over 296,000 acres of ancient forests, amongst the loveliest in France. There are 13 national hiking trails (Grandes Randonnées) and 12 signposted cycle tracks including the very pleasant one from Compiègne to Pierrefonds. Around Chantilly, France's most important equestrian center, a dozen horse riding schools offer lessons and rides.

There are 10 golf courses, including two of the oldest and finest in France. Invest in a Golf Pass which will get you playing on 4 courses all very close to each other, as well as giving you a discount on individual green fees.

The cuisine of the Oise is based on natural products, on a certain lightness of touch and a refinement, perfectly symbolized by Chantilly cream. This smooth, sweet cream dish was created in 1663 by Vatel, right in the Château of Chantilly. You can still try the original recipe at the Hameau in the middle of the château park. On the first Sunday of July there is a red fruit festival at Noyon. You can however enjoy local specialties all year round, including foie gras, mushrooms, wild game, watercress and fresh water fish.

The Oise is a land of craftsmen who continue the old traditions - one can find pottery in the Pays de Bray (Pottery Museum at La Chapelle-aux-Pots), mother-of-pearl in the Vexin-Thelle (Museum of Mother-of-Pearl and the Tabletterie at Méru), and brush-making (Brush-making Museum and Mill at Saint-Félix). At Crépy-en-Valois archery is still practiced as it has been since the Middle Ages and its history is traced in the local Archery Museum. Nearby in the green valley of the river Automne, along a 21 miles stretch, stand 35 towers - church, chapel and abbey - ranging from the simplest Romanesque through to the most flamboyant Gothic. Further west are villages with ceramic tile covered houses, others with stone and cob houses, the most famous of which is Gerberoy, classed as one of the "100 loveliest villages in France".

Amiens, the Capital of Picardy
Amiens, the capital of Picardy, labelled city of Art and History, is famous for its Gothic Cathedral, listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Many other treasures are to be admired here: the belfry, museums, Jules Verne's house, old district bathed by the Somme, traditional puppet shows, wonderful site of the Hortillonnages marshes. It is an ideal spot for a quick getaway.

(Source: Picardy Tourism)