What to see and do in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, medieval town on the Baie de Somme
Charm and heritage
Discover Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, a charming medieval town in the heart of Picardie Maritime in the Hauts-de-France region. Situated on the southern mouth of the Somme, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is a town of art and history, with an exceptional architectural heritage and a prestigious maritime past. A must-see during your camping vacation in Saint-Valery!
Follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc in this well-preserved town with a rich historical past. Stroll through the cobbled, flower-filled streets of Saint-Valery’s quarters, and be charmed by its ramparts, the Guillaume towers, and thechurch of Saint-Martin. Don’t miss the quays of the marina and the colorful houses of the sailors’ quarter. This small town steeped in history inspired Jules Verne, Colette and the famous perfumer Pierre Guerlain.
Visit the medieval town of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
History and heritage
Take advantage of your stopover in Saint Valery sur Somme to admire the historical and cultural heritage of this remarkable medieval town. You’ll find the Porte de Nevers or “Porte du Bas”, whose façade still bears the two bays where the drawbridge used to fold down. Among Saint Valery’s oldest remains, the Porte Guillaume, flanked by its two medieval towers, dates back to the 11th century. It was from here that William the Conqueror set out to conquer England in 1066. If you have time, linger over thechurch of Saint Martin, with its checkerboard pebble walls typical of the “Picard” style. Continue your tour through the narrow streets of the old fortified town to the former fortress, now converted into a gentleman’s residence.
Follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc
A page of history
The Saint-Valery region witnessed the passage of William the Conqueror in 1066, during his conquest of England. The remains of Harold’s Tower can still be seen, where Harold, Earl of Kent, was imprisoned in 1053 after coming to announce to William his claim to the English throne. In 1066, Harold perished at the Battle of Hastings. As for Joan of Arc, she was briefly imprisoned in the “Tour de pierre” at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Despite the harsh conditions of imprisonment, she remained hopeful and showed remarkable courage. She was later transferred to the Château du Crotoy, where she spent several weeks before being sold to the English.
Also worth reading: From Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, board the little train of the Baie de Somme !
A stroll through Saint-Valery’s seafarers’ quarter
A picturesque place
Following the narrow, colorful houses with blue shutters down to the harbor, you come to the“Courtgain“, the sailors’ quarter. A picturesque place whose origins date back to the late 18th century. Climb up to the Chapelle des Marins for a breathtaking view of the Baie de Somme. Don’t miss the Calvaire des Marins on the heights of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. This is where fishermen’s wives used to come to wait for their boats to return to port. Not far from the sailors’ quarter, you can see the statue of the Madonna rock, patron saint of fishermen. In summer, the district becomes the setting for the Fête de la Mer , a tribute to sailors lost at sea. For the occasion, the facades of the houses are decorated and numerous events await visitors to the port.
To find out more about other Baie de Somme ports, visit our pages on Le Crotoy and Cayeux-sur-Mer (Le Hourdel), two jewels of the region.