Natural areas, all kinds of shops and local produce, built heritage with rich history, a packed cultural schedule, fun-filled activities and the cherry on the cake: free parking and smooth traffic.
These are all the wonderful things that you can enjoy from the town during your stay.
A green lung in the heart of town
Families can soak up the peace at Emonville Park for a picnic or play. Plant lovers will adore the features at this “jardin remarquable” (remarkable garden): mixed borders, mosaiculture, 100 year old trees, grass and more.
La Bouvaque Park’s 60 hectares are ideal for walks (and scooter rides), runs and even naps… Shhh… Migratory birds and ducks flock to this haven of peace too for shelter and food.
Emonville garden
Boucher de Perthes museum
Shops and local produce to treat yourself
Fresh fish, salt marsh lamb, “gâteau battu” cake, “pavé Saint Vulfran” pastry, Baie de Somme potatoes, Abbeville beer, “ficelles picardes” pancakes, sea buckthorn honey, maroille cheese…mmm… it makes your mouth water! Our restaurants, markets, shops and delis specialising in local produce are where you’ll find our food and drink to sample, take home or cook.
Fancy an afternoon shopping to treat yourself or pick up souvenirs?
There’s everything you could wish for!
Find out more
Amazing history
Did you know that Abbeville is home to the oldest prehistoric site in Northern France?
It was discovered by Abbeville’s very own Jacques Boucher de Perthes in 1863. Some of his discoveries are on display in the town’s museum. The “Musée de France” Boucher de Perthes Museum is next to the town’s belfry. The belfry was built in 1209 and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
Abbeville expanded and cut loose in the Middle Ages.
You can still see traditional cob and half-timbered houses.
It’s also when the former royal Saint Vulfran Collegiate Church was built. It looks like a cathedral and its front is painstakingly carved to resemble stone lace.
The town flourished again during Louis XIV’s reign when Josse Van Robais founded a royal factory making Dutch linen. He built château de Bagatelle too. Abbeville Port reigned over land and sea at the time.
The railway came to Abbeville in 1847. That’s when sea bathing first appeared too. The current train station was built in 1862 out of wood and red brick like the villas in Mers-les-Bains.
Saint-Vufran towers
The years went by.
The Second World War soon hit. The bomb attack on May 20th 1940 destroyed most of the town. Reconstruction projects lasted until the 1960s and have sculpted Abbeville’s architecture.
The artist Alfred Manessier elevated the little Saint-Sépulcre Church in the 1980s. He created a collection of stained-glass windows celebrating life’s victory over anguish, suffering and death. His titanic work was inspired by both the bible and the Baie de Somme landscapes. A sight for sore eyes, especially when the sun’s out.
Nowadays, you can feel the peaceful town’s pulse and your heart will beat in time. It has culture galore: concerts, exhibitions, plays, films, conferences, festivals, comedy, children’s shows, performances, cultural cafés, guided tours and more.
Toute l’année est ponctuée de petits et grands rendez-vous.
one last piece of advice
Abbeville is the perfect base to explore the Baie de Somme and take a trip to Amiens.
It’s in the perfect location between the medieval town of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme (15 min), Le Tréport cliffs (40 min), the vast sandy beaches in Quend and Fort-Mahon (30min), Crécy Forest (20 min), Saint Riquier Abbey (10 min), Château de Rambures (30 min), the Marsh Centre in Longpré-les-Corps-Saints (30 min), Amiens, its cathedral and floating gardens (35 min).
