Welcome to the Baie de Somme and in particular to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, medieval city, city of sailors, city of conquest! Take a stroll along the quays and flower-filled alleyways, climb to the top of the ramparts and admire the old stones. Spot a cormorant on the shore or the head of a seal in the channel... Sometimes the best discoveries are made where you least expect them!
The Porte de Nevers and the Tours Guillaume: the gateway to the fortified town, these two massive round towers, also known as the Porte Jeanne d'Arc, are the town's oldest monuments. They were already in existence when William the Conqueror left for England in 1066.
The Harold Tower: this tower, of which only the lower part remains, has had several names ("tour à rauts", "tour à roc"). Tradition has it that Harold, an emissary of the King of England, was shipwrecked on the shores of St-Valery in the 11th century. He was imprisoned in this tower around 1055. The tower can be seen beside the beach, near the staircase leading up to the town ramparts.
L'Herbarium des remparts and le fruticetum: in the heart of old Saint-Valery, a botanical garden inspired by the gardens of the hospital nuns and an orchard offering a contemporary interpretation of the gardens of the Middle Ages.
The church of Saint-Martin: built of stone with pebble and flint checkerboards, the church has twin naves separated by large arcades, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. On a clear day, you can see Le Crotoy from its elevated position.
The marina: a very pretty little port with lovely walks, small shops and restaurants where you can enjoy fried mussels or a delicious Liège waffle. It is the departure point for boats exploring the Bay of the Somme, which has been awarded the Grand Site de France label.
The Courtgain district (fishermen's quarter): one of the prettiest districts in Saint Valéry, with its winding streets lined with small colourful houses. Admirably flowered, this district hosts the Fête de la Mer (Sea Festival) every summer (August). The sailors' calvary offers a unique view of the port town and the Bay of the Somme.
The salt warehouse: built in 1736, it was "the largest and most solid in the kingdom". It consisted of three rooms 45.5 m long and 12.25 m wide, flanked by very thick walls. It could store 20,000 tonnes of salt. The entire building is now a listed historic monument. It is now a cultural and business tourism complex.
The Abbey district: the Saint-Valery of farmers, where you can see small farms still in use, built in the pure Picardy tradition. All that remains of the abbey are the ruins of the aisle and a few remains of the 17th-century cloister.
The chapel of Saint-Valery (sailors' chapel): on the heights of Cap Hornu, a neo-Gothic chapel built in stone with a chequered pattern of white stone and flint. Inside, the walls are decorated with numerous votive offerings. Saint Valery was buried here in accordance with his wishes. His relics attract many faithful on pilgrimage.
The tip of Cap Hornu: for walkers, a lovely viewpoint over the salt meadows of the Baie de Somme, where the sheep graze.
The Saint-Valery-sur-Somme lighthouse: at the northern end of the towpath, at the entrance to the port, this lighthouse offers a bird's-eye view of Saint-Valery, Le Crotoy and the Baie de Somme.
