About
The Somme is a department in northern France, within the Hauts-de-France region, and it takes its name from the Somme River that winds through its landscape. Its capital is Amiens.
A place of remembrance
The Somme is best known for the Battle of the Somme, fought here in 1916 during the First World War. The battle left deep marks on the countryside, and today the department draws visitors who come to remember and to understand what happened on these fields. For many, a visit is a quiet, reflective experience rather than a sightseeing outing.
What a visit offers
- Battlefield tourism, centred on the sites where the 1916 fighting took place
- The river landscape that gives the department its name
- Amiens, the capital, with its Gothic cathedral
Amiens makes a natural base for exploring the area. Its cathedral is the highlight most visitors mention, and the city offers a setting to rest between visits to the battlefields.
Plan your time around the places you most want to see, and allow room for the slower pace this region suits. The Somme rewards travellers who come with an interest in its history and its open, rural character.
