Picardy is a region in the north of France it is made up of three departments: Aisne, Oise and the Somme. A minority of people in the region still speak the Picard language a dialect of French which is also still spoken in Nord Pas de Calais.

To the north of the region the landscape of Picardy is one of flat plains and it is where the Battle of the Somme took place during World War 1. To the south the region is more hilly. Along it's unspoilt coastline there are pretty fishing villages particularly in the Somme Estuary an area popular for water sports, the area is also popular with artists attracted by it's natural light.

Picardy boasts the largest forested area in France with over 32,000 hectares, the main forests being Saint-Gobain, Compiègne, Chantilly and Crécy.

Picardy is an important farming area it's main crops being wheat and beets, dairy and beef cattle are also farmed.

Picardy's capital Amiens is a pretty town noted for it's cathedral built in the 13th century and was the birth place of Peter the Hermit. The town of Chantilly is famous for Chantilly Cream and Chantilly Lace. The surrounding forest and the Château de Chantilly are well worth visiting.

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