Car Hire Beauvais - Mini guide to Beauvais
Beauvais sits between Paris and Amiens in the sweeping countryside of northeastern France. It makes a good base to explore this historic region.
The one sight not to be missed in town is the Cathedral St Pierre. The huge Gothic structure radiates above the town and is unusual in that it is unadorned by a tower or spire. The building is a remnant of the competitiveness of medieval France where towns sought to outdo each other. The church is best known for its stained glass and remarkable clocks. The Tapestry Museum, devoted to the craft for which the town was once famous, is also worth visiting.
An interesting excursion from Beauvais which can also appeal to walking enthusiasts are the WWI battlefields dotting the area, particularly those of the Somme. In this battle some 400,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded. A good starting point to explore the site is the museum built into the old ramparts at Peronne, which depicts the reality of war from the ordinary soldier’s viewpoint. After this you can walk around some of the preserved trenches and imagine the conditions yourself.
The cuisine of the region of Picardie is wide and varied, with specialities including wild boar, venison, freshwater fish and lamb from the salt marshes. A good place to sample this cuisine is Le Marignan on rue de Malharbe, with its fine restaurant and brasserie.
Beauvais is about an hour from Paris by train, with services running regularly throughout the day. To reach Beauvais by plane, fly to Paris and then take the train or a bus service to the city.
