Guide to Somme & Property for Sale in Department 80

The Somme is a department (number 80) in the Hauts-de-France region, named after the Somme River. For many of the thousands of people who visit each year, however, it is a name synonymous with the deadliest battle of the First World War, the Battle of the Somme. The battlefields of the Somme are a site of pilgrimage to this day, and the area’s accessibility from the Channel ports and Channel Tunnel makes it easy for visitors to travel from the UK to France to see the many monuments and cemeteries commemorating…

The Somme is a department (number 80) in the Hauts-de-France region, named after the Somme River. For many of the thousands of people who visit each year, however, it is a name synonymous with the deadliest battle of the First World War, the Battle of the Somme. The battlefields of the Somme are a site of pilgrimage to this day, and the area’s accessibility from the Channel ports and Channel Tunnel makes it easy for visitors to travel from the UK to France to see the many monuments and cemeteries commemorating the lives lost. The Remembrance Trail is a pilgrimage route connecting Albert and Péronne, highlighting important sites from the Great War. The Thiepval Commonwealth Memorial serves as a poignant tribute, honoring 72,000 British and South African soldiers who died or went missing in the Somme from July 1915 to March 1918.

The Natural Beauty of the Somme

In addition to its wartime legacy, the Somme offers much in terms of culture and relaxation. Set within the Hauts-de-France region (formerly Picardy), it neighbours Pas-de-Calais, Nord, Aisne, Oise and Seine-Maritime. The coast in the Northwest of the Somme features wide sandy beaches, which are popular for sand yachting and family activities in the summer months.

The Cultural Heart of Amiens

Amiens, the cultural heart of Somme, is renowned for its impressive cathedral and tranquil waterways. The city features 65 km of canals navigated by small boats, separating the “hortillonnages” or floating market gardens. These gardens are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and have provided food for the city’s residents for generations.

Exciting Shopping and Markets

Amiens, situated halfway between Paris and Lille, is a bustling city renowned for its shopping and rich heritage. There are over 600 shops here, many of which are concentrated around the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and the Place Gambetta. There is also a fantastic flea market with around 2000 stalls.

Culinary Delights and Festivities

Gourmets will enjoy the market hall, which offers Amiens duck pâté, Picardy cheese, and vegetables from the Hortillonages. Each December, the city hosts northern France's largest Christmas market. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike can explore numerous excellent restaurants and cafés, sampling regional specialties such as macarons and calvados crafted from locally grown apples.

Key Information about the Somme (80)