The sea in the countryside
Land and sea
Marquenterre, Ponthieu, Vimeu
Between land and sea
- 27metres high for the belfry
- 50Tufa cross in Vimeu
- 810hectares, the Regnière-Ecluse estate
Rue, capital of Marquenterre
Charm and heritage
The town of Rue is home to a remarkable architectural heritage: its belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Chapelle du Saint-Esprit, a marvel of flamboyant Gothic, is a veritable lacework. Rue was a prosperous seaport until the 14th century.
Rue is also one of Picardy’s cradles of aeronautics, having seen the birth of the Caudron brothers, the Icarus of modern times. On Saturday mornings, in the town’s main square, there’s a pleasant market where you can do your shopping and fill your basket with good local produce.
Crécy-en-Ponthieu
The forest: 4300 hectares of serenity
Not far from the sea, the largest forest in the Somme is located mainly in Crécy-en-Ponthieu, but also in the communes of Bernay-en-Ponthieu, Forest-Montiers, Forest-l’Abbaye and Canchy. Beech and oak reign supreme here. You’ll be intoxicated by the scent of humus and the healing power of the trees.
The battle of Crécy 1346
In and around the village, discover the history of the Battle of Crécy, which marked the beginning of the 100 Years’ War. Several monuments and, above all, a dedicated museum retrace the history of this battle between the English and French armies.
Historic center and site of the Battle of Crécy
Regnière-Ecluse castle
Just a stone’s throw away, the Château de la belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle) stands proudly in Regnière-Ecluse. Built in the troubadour Gothic style, it is surrounded by a magnificent 815-hectare English park with free access, ideal for a stroll with friends or family.
A rejuvenating break in the heart of lush greenery and a historically rich region…
In the heart of Vimeu
Picardy nature and culture
The Trie valley is the countryside by the sea, and in the heart of this rugged natural environment, the soul of Picardy is preserved and passed on. It’s in the Vimeu, for example, that the tradition of Picardy games is most alive and well. Fist ball, long palm, plate game and javelin will hold no secrets for you.
In these rural landscapes, we also discover a treasure trove of 50 crosses made of tuff (a very soft, shell-encrusted limestone), Latin, Templar, Maltese, etc., which keep certain Picardy legends alive.
The Vimeu is also the birthplace of our emblematic beaten cake, a recipe that is emblematic of Picardy.
A land of genius and ancestral know-how
Vimeu is also a land of industry. Here, locksmithing and fittings have reigned supreme for decades. The collections of locks, padlocks and chests in the Musée des Industries du Vimeu, and the reconstruction of old workshops, will give you an idea of the talent and know-how of this region.
Meeting with
Jean-Marie Thomas
Picardy storyteller
“This treasure trove of tufa crosses has close links with our Picardy tales and legends, such as the horned cross at Cambron, which whistles in high winds to recall the cry of Medea spurned by her Gertrude and rejected by the villagers. It was caught in a tornado and transformed into a stone cross.”
