SAINT-QUENTIN, ‘CITE DES PASTELS’
Saint-Quentin – the most Flemish of the towns of Picardy
Le Vermandois at the sources of the Rivers Somme and Escaut is an area full of surprises in its heritage, local savoir-faire and natural attractions. Saint-Quentin, the most Flemish of the towns of Picardy, has an amazing architectural style ranging from Flamboyant Gothic to Art Deco. It is also the only town in France with a nature reserve in the centre.
Many of the traditional skills of the industrial and textile past can still be found in the Vermandois countryside as can delicious traditional dishes like ‘Ficelle Picarde’ and hotpot.
What to see and do in Saint-Quentin ?
The wonderful architectural heritage of the town makes it a genuine open-air museum with its Gothic basilica, underground passages and dungeons, the Flamboyant Gothic facade of the Hotel de Ville (town hall) and 1920s Art Deco buildings from the reconstruction period after the Great War.
The national nature reserve of ‘Les Marais de l’Isle’, close to the source of the Somme, harbours a rich variety of wildlife - an oasis of biodiversity at the heart of the town.
There are several exceptional museums : the Musée Antoine Lécuyer which features pastel works by Quentin de la Tour, and the Musée des Papillons (Butterfly Museum) at the Espace Saint Jacques. Children and the young at heart will love the Village of Traditional Crafts (Métiers d’Antan) and the Musée « Motobécane » with more than 120 mopeds on display, which is unique in France.
At Fresnoy-le-Grand, the Maison du Textile is a living museum of textile traditions with 28 Jacquard looms.
At Bellicourt, there is a very unusual museum on board an electric barge dating from 1910, one of the last of its kind in activity.
The family home of Henri Matisse, at Bohain-en-Vermandois, traces the artist’s life and his late 19th century youth spent in the hard-working atmosphere of the Matisse seed company.
In and around Saint-Quentin
Heritage sites to visit with or without a guide.
A choice of walks along designated footpaths, ranging from family micro walks to full-day discovery hikes along the GR 655 (Santiago de Compostela way) and the GR 145 (Via Francegina). Cycle paths and mountain bike tracks for cyclists of all levels. Bike and mountain bike hire at Parc d’Isle. Horse riding centres offering rides and treks.
Discover the Marais d’Isle in a ‘bacôve’, a flat-bottomed boat, ideal for the marshes. Also canoeing and kayaking at Parc d’Isle.
Take a steam train ride on the ‘Chemin de fer touristique du Vermandois’ !
Discover Saint-Quentin and the surrounding area from the air with the Aéroclub de l’Aisne or in a microlight helicopter.
Aquatic complex, ice rink and bowling alley at Saint-Quentin, Parc d’Isle Leisure Activity Centre, golf course.
To visit the north of the Aisne region, continue your journey to Guise to discover the ‘Familistère’.
Our favourite comment : « I love listening to the timeless melodies played by the carillon of the Hôtel de Ville while sitting on a bench and imagining that Quentin de la Tour is sitting next to me ! »
How to get to Saint-Quentin
By road : A26 : 1hour 40 minutes from Calais
A1 and A29 : 1hour 40 minutes from Paris
A1 and A26 : 1hour 10 minutes from Lille
E19 and A26 : 2 hours minutes from Brussels
By rail : to Saint-Quentin (from Paris Gare du Nord or Gare de Lille Flandres)
Nearest airport : 1 hour 25 minutes from Roissy – Charles-de-Gaulle
Contact
Office de tourisme Saint-Quentinois
3 rue Emile Zola
02100 Saint Quentin"
Our selection of accommodations
Lodging
Gîte de Séraucourt-le-Grand
in SERAUCOURT-LE-GRAND - Aisne
