Abbeville
gateway to the
Bay of the Somme
Abbeville, gateway to the Bay of the Somme
- 1488CONSTRUCTION OF SAINT-VULFRAN
- 60HECTARES OF BIRD SANCTUARY
- 9NEARBY HIKING TRAILS
An exceptional heritage
FROM THE BELFRY TO SAINT-VULFRAN
Abbeville adopted one of the Founding Fathers of Prehistory, Jacques Boucher-de-Perthes. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed in the town’s belfry, bears his name and boasts fine archaeological collections, as well as exhibiting the evolution of the fine and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Abbeville is also the hometown of Alfred Manessier, whose works can be seen in the Museum, as well as in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where 31 contemporary stained-glass windows of exceptional chromatic richness celebrate the theme of the Passion and Resurrection.
And of course, we can’t leave Abbeville without a visit to the collegiate church of Saint-Vulfran. With its cathedral-like appearance, it is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic art. We love its elegance, its soaring towers and the fine, delicate design of its rose.
A natural setting
Carmel, Emonville, Bouvaque
Let’s start our journey at Parc de la Bouvaque, a 60-hectare wetland. In addition to the many birds, you can observe the blue springs that originate in the depths of the limestone massif. Don’t miss a visit to the Jardin d’Emonville and the Jardin du Carmel, a 2-hectare landscaped park featuring mosaics, flower beds and ancient trees.
Not far from Abbeville, in Grand-Laviers, a 40-hectare former industrial site has been rehabilitated as a bird sanctuary, home to avocets, stilts and other waders.
The Baie de Somme tourist office will guide you during your stay. For more information, visit their website.
Chapels, museums, collegiate churches or Alfred Manessier’s stained glass windows, treat yourself to a Cultural Moment in the Abbevillois!
The city of festivals
MUSIC, NATURE
Many great events take place in the city every year. The season kicks off in February with the Winter Groove Festival, a celebration of contemporary music. March sees the Nuits du Blues. In April, nature and birds are celebrated all over the Baie de Somme, with over 300 nature outings, a film festival, photography and exhibitions. Abbeville hosts the film festival, with screenings of the best in wildlife cinema, exhibitions and a children’s village. May celebrates the most beautiful voices with the Choeurs et Voix Festival.
Meet
GILLES
CONFERENCE GUIDE
“Abbeville’s heritage is incredibly rich. I guide visitors to discover the Gothic architecture of the collegiate church of Saint-Vulfran, the stained glass windows by our famous Abbeville painter, Manessier, at the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the belfry, the Carmel and so many other nuggets!”
