Attractions and Places To See around Forest-L'Abbaye - Top 20

Beautiful nature away from the hustle and bustle of the coast.

Cross the Bay of the Somme from Crotoy, take the steam train back and then go to Le Hourdel to see the seals, that's all you need for a wonderful holiday. https://youtu.be/nenNw-_0ADE

Gaston Caudron (actually Alphonse) (Favières, January 18, 1882 - December 10, 1915) and René Caudron (Favières, July 1, 1884 - September 27, 1959) were French aviation pioneers. They founded the world's first flying school and built the world's first seaplane. The Caudron brothers were farmers with a passion for aviation, which was gaining popularity at the time. In the spring of 1908 they built a glider with which they made the first flights over the fields of a farm (Ferme de Romiotte) a few kilometers from Le Crotoy. The device was pulled up by a horse. In this way they completed six flights over a distance between 800 and 1200 m. René controlled the glider. They founded the Aéroplanes Caudron Frères company in 1909 and from 1910 the Société des avions Caudron, originally installed in Le Crotoy and later in Rue. They acquired a special place in aviation history. In 1910 they founded the world's first flying school, recruiting future pilots, and in August 1910 René obtained his pilot's license in Le Touquet. In March 1911, Gaston received his civil aviation license. In 1912, the brothers built the world's first seaplane. In 1913 they expanded the school with a military aviation department. In 1913, Gaston started the first pilot school in China, and he was the first pilot to fly over the Forbidden City, on the occasion of the delivery of twelve reconnaissance aircraft type Caudron G.3 (see photo), ordered by the Chinese. The Caudron brothers developed several reconnaissance aircraft for the French army. Under pressure from the invasion of the German troops in 1914, they moved their factories to Issy-les-Moulineaux and Lyon. Gaston Caudron died on December 10, 1915 on board a Caudron R-4 at Lyon-Bron airport. In 1920, the French pilot Adrienne Bolland was employed as a test pilot. She made world news when she flew over the Andes in a Caudron G.3 in 1921. In 1933, the Caudron factories, which had run into financial difficulties, were bought by the Renault company. From then on the company was called Société anonyme des avions Caudron. The designers now concentrated on building light aircraft. In 1933 there was a collaboration with Marcel Berthet, famous cyclist and professional from 1907-1923, in which an aerodynamic streamline was built around the racing bicycle. Materials were spruce wood, aluminum and cloth. Marcel drove this at 49.992 km/h. However, the record was not recognized by the International Cycling Union (UCI) because of the different bicycle model with which it was set. Hélène Boucher, who set several world records with Caudron aircraft, was also under contract with Renault to promote one of its car models, the Renault Viva Grand Sport. She crashed in a Caudron Rafale on November 30, 1934 in Guyancourt.

The Baie de Somme nature reserve covers 3,000 hectares of marine habitats: mudflats, salt marshes and sandbanks. You can enjoy stunning views of the bay, observe the wealth of wildlife and discover the rare plants that thrive in this salty environment. The reserve is home to the largest colony of harbor seals in France, as well as many species of birds, such as spoonbills, avocets and oystercatchers. You can also visit the Marquenterre ornithological park, which is part of the reserve. The reserve is a protected space, so you must respect the rules that ensure its conservation.

The Bay of Somme nature reserve covers 3,000 hectares of marine habitats, including mudflats, salt marshes and sandbanks. You can enjoy stunning views of the bay, observe the rich wildlife and discover the rare plants that thrive in this salty environment. The reserve is home to the largest colony of harbor seals in France, as well as many species of birds, such as spoonbills, avocets and oystercatchers. You can also visit the Marquenterre Ornithological Park, which is part of the reserve. The reserve is a protected area, so you must respect the rules and regulations that ensure its conservation.

Château de Noyelles is a 19th century castle nestled in a 4-hectare park in the heart of the Bay of Somme. You can admire the magnificent English garden, the orchards and the surrounding countryside.

Very good asphalt along the canal.

The canal follows the course of the River Somme and is a combination of a side canal and a canalised river. Construction work had already begun in 1770, but was not completed until 1843. It was intended to connect St. Quentin with the English Channel for freight traffic. However, economic use has been in decline for many decades, but like many canals in France, tourist use by pleasure craft and houseboats is increasing. (Wikipedia) Like most canals in France, this one is also made accessible by accompanying cycle paths. A relaxed, sometimes also meditative cycling, because there is not so much variety. But also absolutely beautiful landscapes on the unregulated Somme lined with castles and mansions delight cyclists again and again