OUR OWN HISTORY LESSON
We first ventured abroad with our caravan in the late 1980s, looking for something a bit different. It also gave our children some adventure and a great opportunity to practise their French.
The coastline of northern France was our chosen destination and we loved the region so much, we keep coming back.
Partly, it’s the area’s rich history, laidback lifestyle, beautiful beaches and landscapes, fine cuisine, picturesque seaside resorts, great landmarks and top-class campsites.
But the main reason is, it allows us to visit my grandfather’s grave. He was killed in action in World War I (more on that later).
Where land meets sea
St-Valery-sur-Somme has always been one of our favourite destinations, because this was the first place we visited in France.
Situated on the Bay of the Somme, this fine old city is in a unique location, where water, marshland and dunes all meet – land and sea merge into one.
Its compact centre has an air of untouched charm: old waterfront cottages, narrow cobbled streets and colourful floral displays just add to its beauty. A plentiful selection of speciality shops, restaurants, cafés and a riverside boardwalk, running the full length of the town, all add to the appeal.
From the stone-built quayside, the Commandant Charcot sails regularly for pleasure trips around the beautiful bay; or you could catch the 80-year-old Somme Bay Railway’s steam train, with open carriages, for a voyage of discovery along the banks of the Somme and beyond.
To the west, on an elevated position, is the medieval walled town and St Martin’s Church, which dates back to the 11th century. From the courtyard at the rear, you can see breathtaking views across the bay.
In the early 19th century, the beautiful landscape and
