Unfortunately the cathedral was closed to the public the day I was in Arras. However this church…read morewasn't, which meant we could go inside for a bit of a wander. Actually, being quite close to the centre of town also made it somewhat more attractive, and it was a bit of a hike to the cathedral. Then again Arras is a small town so getting pretty much anywhere is a bit of a hike. However, like a lot of the churches, this one had a gorgeous interior, and is certainly worth stepping inside simply to have a look around. I won't necessarily say that it has character, but it does have a feel about it that make sit a pleasant place to visit.

The church of Notre Dame of Brébières in Albert features in many photographs of the First World…read moreWar, due to its famous 'leaning Virgin'. Built between 1885-1895, the basilica was constructed to house the famous 14th-century image of the Virgin Mary, from which the church takes its name, and accommodate the ever more numerous pilgrims coming to venerate the statue. The architect, Edmond Duthoit, designed a spectacular building of red brick and local stone in the Moorish style, with a complex and elaborate interior decorative scheme, featuring frescoes, mosaics and coloured marbles. The focus of the exterior design was a tower 62m high, surmounted by a gilded statue of the Virgin presenting Christ to the world, designed by the sculptor Albert Roze. Unfortunately, Albert was in the centre of hostilities from 1915 until 1918, and the town suffered hugely during the bombardments. In 1915, the basilica was hit by a German shell: this dislodged the statue, which leaned precariously to a near-horzontal position - but it did not fall. It became famous amongst soldiers on both sides of the conflict, inspiring a legend that whichever side caused the statue of the 'Leaning Virgin' to fall, would lose the war. In 1918, Albert was overrun by the German 'Spring offensive', and the basilica once again became the target of attack, as the British sought to prevent the tower from being used as a look-out post. It was a British shell which finally destroyed the tower and the statue in April 1918: the remains of the statue were irrecoverable amongst the rubble. Huge efforts were made after the war to restore the church, with the architect's son, Edouard Duthoit, using his father's original designs. An exact replica of Roze's statue was also constructed, and re-erected, with great ceremony, in 1931. It stands out for miles across the plain of the High Somme as a distinctive landmark, and completely dominates the central square of the town. Although the interior has suffered from water damage, the decorative scheme is largely intact and it is an impressive interior space. The statue of the Virgin is once again a place of pilgrimage, alongside those coming to pay their respects to those lost on both sides of the war which made it famous in the 20th Century.

In this rural area there are not many choices. But this was a lucky find. It is simple clean and…read morecomfortable. Dinner in their own dining room was a pleasant surprise - large salads, great lamb shank and well presented desserts. All good value for money if you're not on a tight budget

The Amiens Cathedral also call the Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens. It is the largest cathedral in…read moreFrance due to the volume or cubic meter. This cathedral is located north of Paris. It has it significant for the local worshippers. The cathedral also listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. It was built around 1200. Our visit did not allow us going to choirs section which in behind the altar. The Pilar of the worship area is tall. Love high ceilings pointy roof structure. Altar decoration is beautiful. Behind the altar the stain glass window are not the original but the sunlight shine on the glass is beautiful. The pulpit with stair lead to is well decorated with angel. The outside gothic look is one of the kind. Especially the center circle between the two tower with inter crossing rose paddle shaped is unique. The tower shaped like Paris Norte Dame Cathedral. The tomb of Bishop Ferry de Beauvoir is buried here.

So many wonderful things about this cathedral. I'm unlikely to add anything helpful to what has…read morealready been written so I'll simply add the following: at 3pm on most days the friends of the cathedral offer a free (in French only) lecture/tour of the choir section of the cathedral, an area that is normally closed to the public. It's one of the best art talks I've heard in France, though I can only speak for the gentleman who led our talk. don't miss the chance to climb the steeple and see the views of the building and of Amiens. You can only go in afternoons during the summer so make sure that you make time for it, and if needs be, book ahead.

From the owner: En plein centre Cette église de style gothique fut édifié en cinq siècles! Elle est composée de…read morecinq nefs de hauteur égale (ce qui est rare)et ornée d'une dizaine de toiles de dimension importante de Van Oost et d'une petite toile anonyme plus ancienne représentant Saint Maurice.

The ruined facade of this famous abbey is visible for miles around, and forms a significant…read morelandmark on the plains north of Arras. Access is via a lane off the D341 road north of Arras. According to legend, St Eloi, bishop of Tournai and Noyon, founded a community here in the 7th century. One of his disciples, Saint Vindicien, Bishop of Arras and Cambrai, was buried on this spot and a shrine and monastic community became established around his relics. Around 1208, the Abbot Richard rebuilt the church in the latest gothic style, and on a grand scale. In 1750, work began to remodel the abbey in the classical style, but alas it all came to nothing when the French Revolution resulted in its closure in 1791 - its last Abbot suffering the humiliation of the guillotine. Fortuntately, the Civic authorities of the Department acted to preserve the facade when the rest of the church was demolished in 1836. Tragically, the towers were used as a look-out post in the First World War, and suffered from bombardment and the loss of their upper storeys in 1915. Nevertheless, the remains are still impressive, if only by virtue of their size and location, and it makes for a wonderful detour from the D341 to admire the views of the surrounding countryside. When we visited, the ruins were surrounded by an extraordinarily large number of ducks: destined, no doubt, for some splendid culinary fate...

From the owner: " Le Parthénon de l'architecture française " Avec le choeur gothique le plus haut du monde…read more(48,50m), la cathédrale de Beauvais donne le vertige. Construite à partir de 1225, elle se voulait l'église la plus grande du royaume mais connaît au cours des siècles de nombreux problèmes et écroulements. Aujourd'hui, on contemple avec admiration les façades du transept et les vitraux des chapelles rayonnantes.