Houseboat rental Picardie - 1 houseboat

Where Northern France Meets the Water: Your Houseboat Escape in Picardie

Picardie might not be the first destination that springs to mind when planning a French getaway, but that is precisely what makes it so special. Tucked away in northern France, now part of the Hauts-de-France region, this historic territory offers a rare blend of untouched natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and waterways that wind through some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe. For travellers seeking something beyond the ordinary, a houseboat rental in Picardie delivers an experience that combines relaxation with discovery in equal measure.

A Land Shaped by Water and History

Picardie encompasses three distinct departments: the Somme, the Oise, and the Aisne, each named after the rivers that flow through them. With more than 700 kilometres of navigable waterways and 1,200 kilometres of rivers grooming the landscape, water is truly the lifeblood of this region. The terrain is essentially flat, belonging to the Paris Basin with elevations rarely exceeding 300 metres, creating a gentle, rolling countryside of chalk plateaus, vast agricultural plains, and ancient forests near Compiegne and Retz.

The climate here is oceanic and comparable to southern England, though a touch warmer. Summer temperatures hover around a pleasant 21 degrees Celsius, while winters remain mild at approximately 6 degrees. Expect the characteristic Picard alternation of sunshine and clouds, with rainfall distributed evenly throughout the year. This temperate weather makes the region welcoming for most of the year, whether you visit for a spring weekend or an autumn retreat.

Permanently Moored: Your Floating Retreat

Unlike the driveable houseboats found on large American lakes, houseboats in Picardie and throughout much of Europe are typically permanently moored vessels. These floating accommodations offer all the charm of life on the water without the need for navigation skills or a boating licence. Your houseboat becomes a stationary sanctuary, gently rocked by the waters of the Somme, Aisne, or Oise rivers, serving as the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding countryside on foot, by bicycle, or through local excursions.

Why Picardie Deserves Your Attention

The Road Less Travelled

While millions of tourists pass through Picardie each year on their way to Paris or the Channel ports, remarkably few pause to explore. This means you will find authentic French experiences without the crowds that overwhelm more famous destinations. The locals are known for their warmth and hospitality, and you will encounter genuine village life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.

Gateway Position Without Gateway Prices

Located just an hour north of Paris, easily accessible from Belgium and the UK, Picardie offers extraordinary value. Property prices and accommodation costs here are notably lower than in more touristy regions, allowing you to enjoy quality experiences without straining your budget. For visitors flying into Beauvais Airport, often used as a gateway to Paris, the region is immediately accessible.

Gothic Grandeur at Every Turn

Picardie is rightly called the cradle of Gothic art. Six magnificent cathedrals rise from its towns, including the extraordinary Notre-Dame d'Amiens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest Gothic cathedral in France, with its spire reaching 112 metres into the Picard sky. The cathedrals of Beauvais, Laon, Senlis, Noyon, and Soissons each tell their own architectural story, and unlike their Parisian counterparts, you can often admire them in peaceful solitude.

The Call of the Wild at Baie de Somme

The Bay of the Somme holds the prestigious Grand Site de France label and membership in the exclusive club of the world's most beautiful bays. This vast estuarine wetland stretches across nearly 38,000 hectares, with a third designated as a nature reserve. It is home to France's largest colony of seals, both grey seals and harbour seals, numbering several hundred individuals. The bay transforms with the tides, revealing sandbanks, salt marshes where sheep graze, and mudflats teeming with birdlife.

Beyond the Obvious: Five Unexpected Experiences

1. The Floating Gardens of Amiens

Just steps from Amiens Cathedral lies one of France's most enchanting secrets: Les Hortillonnages. This 300-hectare network of floating gardens and 65 kilometres of narrow canals dates back to Roman times, with market gardeners cultivating vegetables on these islands for over 800 years. Glide through this labyrinth aboard a traditional flat-bottomed barque a cornet, discovering hidden plots, charming garden sheds, and a remarkable biodiversity that includes over 30 species of fish. Visit on a Saturday morning, and you can buy vegetables directly from the remaining hortillons at the water market in the Saint-Leu quarter.

2. The Utopian Dream at Familistere de Guise

In the small town of Guise stands a remarkable 19th-century social experiment that predates modern welfare states by a century. The Familistere, built between 1858 and 1883 by industrialist Jean-Baptiste Andre Godin, housed nearly 1,750 workers and their families in a self-contained community with running water on every floor, a nursery, school, theatre, swimming pool, and shops selling goods at near-cost prices. Today, this fascinating complex is a museum where you can explore furnished apartments, the glass-roofed courtyards, and understand a visionary attempt to create a workers' paradise.

3. Where Jules Verne Dreamed of Extraordinary Voyages

The father of science fiction spent 34 years of his life in Amiens, writing many of his most famous novels in the townhouse that is now the Maison de Jules Verne. This intimate museum preserves his winter garden, study, and personal effects, including a splendid model of the Nautilus. For fans of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea or Around the World in Eighty Days, walking through the rooms where these adventures were born provides an inspiring connection to one of literature's most imaginative minds.

4. Steam and Seals: The Baie de Somme Railway

Board one of France's most beautiful vintage trains and travel through the marshes and meadows of the bay. The Chemin de fer de la Baie de Somme has been operating since 1887, and its beautifully restored Belle Epoque wooden carriages and steam locomotives draw nearly 200,000 visitors annually. The 27-kilometre track connects Le Crotoy, Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, and Cayeux-sur-Mer, passing wetlands where you might spot Henson horses, Highland cattle, and storks. Combine the train journey with a boat excursion to see the seals at Pointe du Hourdel for an unforgettable day.

5. Underground into History: The Caverne du Dragon

Near Laon, the Caverne du Dragon offers a profoundly moving journey into the First World War. This network of underground caves and tunnels was occupied by soldiers from both sides of the conflict during the brutal fighting along the Chemin des Dames. The site provides a haunting perspective on trench warfare that no textbook can match. For those interested in the Great War's legacy, Picardie's Somme battlefields, including the Thiepval Memorial and the Lochnagar Crater, remain powerful places of remembrance.

A Taste of Picardie

No stay in this region would be complete without sampling its distinctive cuisine, deeply rooted in the agricultural landscape. Dairy products feature prominently, with creamy cheeses like Maroilles and Rollot adding rich flavours to local dishes. The iconic ficelle picarde, a savoury crepe filled with ham, mushrooms, and shallots, then baked in cream sauce, appears on menus throughout the region.

The Somme department is a genuine kitchen garden, producing exceptional vegetables including endives, carrots, and the famous white beans from Soissons. Near the coast, sample the unique agneau de pre sale, salt marsh lamb raised on meadows regularly flooded by tidal waters, giving the meat a distinctive flavour. For dessert, seek out the gateau battu, a rich brioche-like cake shaped like a chef's hat, or the honey-and-almond macarons of Amiens.

Surprising as it may seem, ten percent of French champagne originates from vineyards in southern Picardie, near Chateau-Thierry. Pair your meals with this local fizz, or explore the region's traditional ciders and artisanal beers.

Planning Your Waterside Stay

A houseboat in Picardie offers more than accommodation. It provides a different rhythm, one attuned to the gentle lap of water against the hull, the dawn chorus of birds, and the ever-changing play of light across the landscape. From your floating base, the region's treasures lie within easy reach, whether you choose to cycle the towpaths, take guided nature walks across the bay, or simply settle into a deckchair with a glass of champagne and watch the world drift by.

Book a houseboat now and discover why this overlooked corner of France might just become your new favourite destination. In Picardie, you will find the rare gift of a region that has retained its character, where history whispers from every stone, nature thrives in protected sanctuaries, and the pace of life still follows the timeless rhythms of the seasons.