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Must-see sites
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• Nature

• 1 THE ATELIERS DE L'ABEILLE

  

  02000 - CHAVIGNON

  To travel to the heart of the hive and discover the kingdom of honey and its queen, make a bee-line for the Ateliers de l’Abeille. More than 1,000 working hives will help you to understand the lives of the bees and how to make honey and its by-products — mead, jellies, sweets…
  
  

• 2 THIERACHE SPORT NATURE

  

  02500 - HIRSON

  If you love nature and thrilling sensations, a canoe ride down the Oise river is just for you! An original way to see fortified churches, mills and wash-houses… When you have finished your expedition, have fun with your family by trying your hand at archery, climbing or orienteering.
  
  

• 3 CRUISE ON THE OURCQ

  

  02460 - SILLY-LA-POTERIE

  In the heart of a huge park like something out of an Impressionist painting, take your ticket at the old embarkation point and enjoy a soothing boat trip through the countryside. Choose between a 3-hour lunch cruise and a refreshing trip to the delightful village of Ferté-Milon.
  
  

• 4 GARDENS AT VIELS MAISONS

  

  02540 - VIELS-MAISONS

  One hour from Paris, the magnificent gardens in Viels-Maisons stretch out at the foot of the 12th century Norman church. The gardens interconnect but are all different: priest’s garden, English-style garden, romantic garden… Each celebrates a flower or a plant: hydrangea, geraniums, old roses… Such prodigious nature is a blessing.
  
  

• 5 THE BUTTERFLY MUSEUM

  

  02100 - SAINT-QUENTIN

  A magical microcosm where butterflies flutter by just as they would in the natural environment! This museum houses some of the finest specimens in a fascinating display, a collection that is a wealth of colour and shape featuring exotic butterfly species, and also beetles, dragonflies and tarantulas. A stunning journey through the strange and fascinating world of insects.
  
  

• Histoire et archéologie

• 6 THE GODIN FAMILISTERE

  

  02120 - GUISE

  Godin dreamed of an ideal society and embodied this in the “Palais social”, a project on the scale of a classless Versailles. Built in the 19th century in Guise, this housing estate with a difference offered accommodation that was exceptional for its time, as well as allotments, a theatre, schools, a washroom, swimming pool and several pavilions… Godin left no stone unturned as he strove to ensure that his workers had everything they needed.
  
  

• 7 THE TEXTILE MUSEUM

  

  02230 - FRESNOY-LE-GRAND

  Discover the looms and the techniques of weaving and embroidery in a busy calendar of exhibitions and demonstrations for all the family. Learn the history of the weaving business “La Filandière” by exploring the workshops and unravelling some of the mysteries of the textile industry!
  
  

• 8 THE STRONGHOLD OF THE DUKES OF GUISE

  

  02120 - GUISE

  A thousand years of history have built this unique site in Europe. With its underground passages, medieval keep, and blockhouses, Guise castle is a fine example of the power of the dynasty of the Dukes of Guise. During your tour, find your way through the labyrinth of vaulted rooms, stop in the former lepers’ room and venture into the mysterious underground passages.
  
  

• 9 SOISSONS AND ITS ABBEY

  

  02200 - SOISSONS

  Soissons abbey is a treasure that houses other treasures… Standing tall above the erstwhile capital of France, it is one of the Middle Age’s richest abbeys. Pause to admire its superb façade, followed by the refectory and the cloister. Venture inside, take the stairs up to the old granaries, and learn about the techniques that were used to build the Gothic vaulted ceilings!
  
  

• 10 THE CAVERNE DU DRAGON

  

  02160 - OULCHES-LA-VALLEE-FOULON

  On the Chemin des Dames, the Dragon’s Lair, a former limestone quarry located nearly 50 feet below ground, offers a poignant insight into the lives of soldiers during the Great War. Through sound, image and archive documents, visitors discover far below the front line what daily life must have been like for the troops.
  
  

• 11 BASILICA OF SAINT-QUENTIN

  

  02100 - SAINT-QUENTIN

  Experience the dizzying heights of Picardy’s “seventh cathedral”! Take a thrilling rooftop tour of the Gothic building: through the attic, round the outside of the choir and back down via the bell tower.
  
  

• 12 THE ABBEY OF SAINT-MICHEL

  

  02830 - SAINT-MICHEL

  Nestling between forest and water, the abbey at Saint-Michel is stunning. An impressive range of artistic influences have left their mark: Renaissance architecture, sumptuous baroque decoration of the facade and the nave, and the Gothic style of the choir. Its magnificent organ, one of the last surviving examples of the era of Louis XIV, adds a final touch of harmony.
  
  

• 13 CONDE FORT

  

  02880 - CHIVRES-VAL

  Condé Fort, located between Laon and Soissons is a fine example of late 19th century military architecture, and part of the defensive network conceived by General Séré de Rivière to protect Paris. An outstanding historic site for the whole family!
  
  

• 14 JEAN DE LA FONTAINE MUSEUM

  

  02400 - CHATEAU-THIERRY

  Château-Thierry has its famous son: Jean de La Fontaine. A lazy teenager who loved to sleep, he spent much of his childhood observing the animal world where he drew his inspiration. The illustrious author of 240 fables is waiting to meet you in his home where portraits, manuscripts, illustrations, and various objets d’art are the key attractions… Find out more about who the great author really was, and soak up the atmosphere where the fables with their...
  
  

• 15 THE MUSEUM OF DARK AGES

  

  02250 - MARLE

  Travel back in time to the Merovingian era and set out to find out about the Franks and Clovis! Visit Marle, a Frankish village in the heart of an archaeological park. Get a flavour of the life of the villagers by joining in a historical reconstruction. Through the Merovingian farmsteads, houses and burial grounds, another way to learn some History.
  
  

• 16 THE CHATEAU OF CONDE

  

  02330 - CONDE-EN-BRIE

  The jewel is within! The château de Condé is waiting to offer you a visit that is fun for all the family. Admire its superb decors by prestigious artists: the Watteau wing, the Servandoni ballroom, a lounge decorated by Oudry with its mysterious magic mirror. The children can set off on an unforgettable treasure hunt in the heart of the castle and the surrounding park with 300 year-old trees.
  
  

• 17 THE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF LAON

  

  02000 - LAON

  Encircled by some 4 miles of ramparts, this city of Art and History has over 80 listed historic monuments. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Gothic cathedral atop the hill on which the city is built. From the top of the towers, enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside and the charm of the old town.
  
  

• 18 THE RUINS OF THE CASTLE OF COUCY

  

  02380 - COUCY-LE-CHATEAU

  From high on its rocky spur, the ruined castle of Coucy is massive. Let guides in period costume tell you the history of this impressive historic monument! Medieval fairs, historic reconstruction, sound and light shows… Don’t miss the many events that regularly revive the life of the castle.
  
  

• Art

• 19 FAMILY HOME OF HENRI MATISSE

  

  02100 - BOHAIN-EN-VERMANDOIS

  For an insight into the childhood of painter Henri Matisse visit the house where he was born and grew up. Discover the rooms where Matisse drew his original inspiration. Continue your excursion through the town following in the painter’s footsteps on a circular tour dedicated to the Matisse theme.
  
  

• 20 ANTOINE LECUYER MUSEUM

  

  02100 - SAINT-QUENTIN

  This museum has a magnificent collection of portraits by the master of pastel, Maurice Quentin de la Tour. Kings, princes, artists and writers are depicted with the utmost sincerity and realism. The museum’s precious collection also includes works by Italian, North European and French artists, as well as objets d’art and furniture.