Simply 1h20 from Paris, Saint-Quentin, sub-prefecture of the Aisne (France), affords a getaway wealthy in discovery. With its Artwork Deco structure, museums and historic areas, this City of Artwork and Historical past is an ideal vacation spot for a weekend or time out.
What to do in Saint-Quentin ? What are the must-see visits? Observe the information!
Saint-Quentin briefly : sensible data
get there ? Roughly 1h20 from Paris, or 1h40 from Lille, Saint-Quentin may be very simply accessible by practice. A number of trains (TER and Ouigo) run all through the day from Paris gare du Nord or Lille Flandres.
When to go ? Saint-Quentin might be visited all yr spherical. Spring and summer time are the perfect occasions to benefit from the parks and cultural occasions. Autumn affords magnificent colors, whereas winter lets you uncover town from one other angle, with its Christmas environment.
For whom For everybody! There are a number of actions appropriate for younger and outdated alike.
get round ? It’s a human-sized city that’s straightforward to find on foot. Permit quarter-hour to stroll from the station to Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. A bus community ” Pastel ” serves the entire city for €1.3 a journey. Discover out extra
How lengthy to remain Sooner or later is sufficient to uncover the details of curiosity. You may also spend a weekend there to take extra of your time and never miss a factor!
The historical past of Saint-Quentin
Based in Roman occasions as Augusta Viromanduorum (The August of the Viromandui, in honour of the emperor Augustus and in reference to the Viromandui, a Belgian individuals who occupied the area, the city grew to become a affluent textile centre within the Center Ages. It was invaded within the sixteenth century, however loved a renaissance within the 18th century. Within the nineteenth century, Saint-Quentin grew to become a serious industrial city.
The First World Warfare had a profound impact on town. 70% destroyed, it was rebuilt within the Nineteen Twenties with outstanding Artwork Deco structure that’s nonetheless largely seen right now. Some 3,000 Artwork Deco buildings had been constructed between the wars.
Town’s improvement picked up once more within the Fifties because of the “Trente glorieuses ” and the textile and mechanical engineering industries, however robust competitors from growing international locations introduced town’s financial exercise to a halt.
During the last fifteen years or so, Saint-Quentin has undergone a profound transformation. Reworked and embellished, it’s now a nice city stuffed with allure.
What to do in Saint-Quentin? 6 must-sees
Stroll by means of town amidst Artwork Deco structure
Go away Google map in your pocket and dare to get misplaced within the city ! The city centre of Saint-Quentin was largely destroyed through the First World Warfare and rebuilt within the 1920’s. The Artwork Deco model homes are quite a few so go from one road to a different and particularly look as much as benefit from the present !
Coming into the basilica
It’s not possible to overlook! The basilica of Saint-Quentin dominates the city. Constructed between the twelfthth and fifteenthth centuries in honour of Saint-Quentin, a martyr of the thirdth century, this basilica is the second-largest Gothic church in Hauts-de-France.
Don’t miss its flooring labyrinth : together with Chartres Cathedral and Bayeux Cathedral, Saint-Quentin Basilica is likely one of the final to have preserved its unique labyrinth meant to permit the trustworthy to make a symbolic pilgrimage.
Go to the Palais de l’Artwork déco
Constructed between 1922 and 1927, the ” Palais de l’Artwork déco ” was as soon as a division retailer. With its wrought iron railings, painted stucco decorations and concrete construction, it is likely one of the best examples of French artwork deco heritage.
Alas, this barely over-ambitious architectural mission failed to seek out its viewers and the outlets have lengthy since closed their doorways, leaving the Palais derelict. Pending a mission to revive / reuse the constructing, at present beneath examine, the bottom flooring hosts an exhibition house that permits guests to admire the great thing about the place.
At present and till 21 September 2025, the Palais de l’Artwork déco is celebrating the centenary of the 1925 Worldwide Exhibition of Trendy Ornamental and Industrial Arts with the exhibition ” Magnificence and modernity. Artwork déco is 100 years outdated ! ” which permits guests to rediscover this creative motion and its affect on our cultural heritage by means of greater than 300 works and objects, demonstrating the range of this motion.
Exhibition dates:Till 21 September 2025
Deal with: 14 rue de la Sellerie
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm
Costs: €8 / Lowered fee: €5 / free for under-18s and residents of Saint-Quentin
Preserve your eyes peeled!
Entry to the Palais de l’Artwork Déco is by way of the Espace Saint-Jacques, the place the Chamber of Commerce was as soon as situated. The neo-Gothic constructing, constructed in 1927, is a marvel to behold, so take the chance to admire its structure! On the identical web site, you can even go to the Butterfly Museum.
Going to the Antoine Lecuyer Tremendous Arts Museum
Following on from the exhibition on the Palais de l’Artwork déco, the Musée des Beaux-Arts Antoine Lecuyer is paying tribute to Gaston Suisse (1896-1988), painter, draughtsman, decorator and lacquerer, a serious determine within the Artwork déco motion. The exhibition runs till 21 September 2025.
Exhibition dates:Till 21 September 2025
Deal with: 28 rue Antoine Lécuyer
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday and Saturday 10:30am to 12:30pm
Costs: €5 / Lowered fee: €2.5 / free for beneath 18s.
Uncover the hidden gems of Saint-Quentin
A few of Saint-Quentin’s most stunning locations can solely be found on guided excursions, bookable on the vacationer workplace. That is significantly true of the City Corridor Council Chamber, the On line casino (a theatre restored round ten years in the past) in addition to the Buffet de la Gare, a luxurious room that when welcomed travellers.
Take a nature break within the Parc d’Isle
Saint-Quentin has no scarcity of inexperienced areas, however the Parc d’Isle is the lungs of the city. Masking round 100 hectares, it encompasses a public backyard, a wildlife park and a nationwide nature reserve. It’s the perfect place for a peaceable stroll, the place you’ll come throughout a number of animals.
It’s additionally a very talked-about place for youngsters, with its farmhouse of home animals and its varied exhibition areas offering an academic introduction to nature and the setting.
Interactive map
Discover all of the addresses talked about on this article on this map:
The place to sleep in Saint-Quentin? Discover a resort
To spend an evening in Saint-Quentin, I like to recommend staying within the metropolis centre it’s going to permit you to be near eating places but in addition to have the ability to do numerous sightseeing on foot.
Discover the checklist of obtainable institutions, in addition to their charges, on the dates of your keep :
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Saint-Quentin awaits you for a discovery combining heritage, tradition and nature so don’t hesitate any longer to go and discover this pearl of the Hauts-de-France !
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