A nature destination between land and sea
Long overlooked by major tourist destinations, the Somme region nevertheless has many surprises in store. With its vast beaches, peaceful marshes, charming villages and landscapes shaped by the tides, this department in the Hauts-de-France region reveals spectacular, unspoilt nature. At the heart of this region, the Baie de Somme stands out as one of the most beautiful natural sites in France, famous for its changing light, its seal colonies and its thousands of migratory birds.
But the Somme is not just about wide open spaces. Amiens, its historic capital, charms visitors with its majestic Gothic cathedral and the astonishing floating gardens of the hortillonnages. The department also bears the memory of the First World War, with numerous sites and monuments dedicated to the Battle of the Somme. With its nature, heritage and history, the Somme offers a rich and surprising destination for a holiday in the countryside — and a great idea for a camping trip.
Camping in the Somme
To discover the Somme in complete freedom, there's nothing like a camping holiday, between the sea, nature and typical villages. There are 128 campsites in the Somme, offering a variety of experiences: seaside, countryside or picturesque villages.
Le Riding – Le Crotoy
On the coast, Le Riding**** campsite in Le Crotoy is the ideal base for exploring the Baie de Somme and enjoying the surrounding beaches.
La Dune Fleurie – Quend
Not far away, La Dune Fleurie**** campsite in Quend offers an ideal family setting for enjoying the sand and dunes.
Domaine de Drancourt - Estréboeuf
For a more intimate stay, away from the crowds, the Domaine de Drancourt***** campsite in Estréboeuf offers peace and quiet, comfort and immersion in nature.
The Baie de Somme, one of the most beautiful natural sites in France
The first reason to choose the Somme as a destination for your next holiday is its exceptional natural heritage. The best example of this is, of course, the Baie de Somme. Its vast stretches of sand and salt marshes create breathtaking panoramas, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the light transforms the landscape into a veritable painting. Here, nature reigns supreme: thousands of migratory birds stop to rest here, and seals come to laze on the sandbanks at low tide.
The nearby Marquenterre Park offers an ideal observatory for admiring this exceptional wildlife without disturbing it. Walks along the bay's footpaths allow you to discover unspoilt areas and get in touch with nature that is still wild, where every step holds a surprise. For the more curious, guided tours on foot or by mini train offer another perspective on this area, between sea and sky, and allow you to understand its history and fragile ecosystem.
The Baie de Somme is also a place where you can combine discovery and relaxation: bike rides along the dykes, picnics in the countryside, and moments of contemplation in front of the immensity of the landscapes. It is an unmissable destination for those who want to experience the wild and unspoilt soul of the Somme, while enjoying activities suitable for the whole family.
The Baie de Somme is also a paradise for horsemen with a rich network of marked routes, immense beaches for salty galloping sessions, but also campsites that have all the infrastructures to welcome riders and mounts in perfect conditions. But in this particularly privileged setting, you can, for example, practice sand yachting without any moderation or fly the craziest kites out of your imagination.
For your accommodation, choose one of the 65 campsites near the Baie de Somme, which will allow you to combine nature, activities and comfort for an unforgettable stay.
A jewel: Amiens
Even if it occupies a very important place, the Somme is not limited to the sea, as beautiful as it is. The department has other assets that are well worth a visit, starting with Amiens.
Amiens charms visitors with its exceptional heritage and unique natural spaces. Its Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the city with its majesty and fascinates with the elegance of its sculptures and the beauty of its stained-glass windows. Visitors can admire the cathedral's evening lighting, which transforms the Gothic façade into a spectacle of colour and light.
Explore the Somme along the water and through its villages
Beyond the bay, the Somme is full of small villages and landscapes that are well worth a visit. Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, with its medieval streets and picturesque harbour, is perfect for strolling around and enjoying the light over the bay.
Not far away, Le Crotoy charms visitors with its fine sandy beaches and seaside walks. Quend and Cayeux-sur-Mer also offer wide stretches of sand and paths that are ideal for family walks.
The Somme can also be explored by water. Between marshes and canals, boat or kayak trips allow you to observe birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. Nature lovers can enjoy parks and reserves, such as the Marquenterre park, where they can admire seals and thousands of migratory birds.
To prolong the experience, a few well-located campsites allow you to combine a nature break with visits to villages. Le Val d'Authie***** campsite in Villers-sur-Authie, La Ferme des Aulnes**** in Nampont and Le Val de Trie**** in Moyenneville offer a peaceful setting, close to these villages and the surrounding countryside.
In the footsteps of the Battle of the Somme
A major battle of the First World War
But like other departments in the north and east of France, the Somme is also a land of memory. Some of the most despicable butcheries of the First World War, which was not short of them, took place there. The Battle of the Somme, which pitted British (British, Australian, New Zealand), French and German troops against each other, took place from 1 July to 18 November 1916. More than one million people died in the battle.
Memorial sites and military cemeteries
Among the must-see sites, the Historial de la Grande Guerre in Péronne traces the history of the war and the daily life of soldiers, while the Thiepval Memorial commemorates the fallen soldiers and offers a striking view of the battlefield. Numerous other memorials (Commonwealth, Newfoundland, Southern Hemisphere Combatants, etc.) and museums throughout the department allow visitors to continue their discovery and pay tribute to the men who fought.
But if this quick overview of what the Somme has to offer isn't enough to convince you, there is one last argument that might sway you: the quality of the welcome, which is a veritable religion here. The department's campsites offer modern facilities, spacious pitches and attentive staff, so that young and old alike feel at home. Between nature, heritage, beaches and villages, each stay becomes a tailor-made experience, adapted to all tastes and all paces.