Tourism : a major economic activity in the Somme

The Somme is an attractive destination that brings in around 2,200,000 visitors every year and which provides 9,000 jobs in the tourism sector. The general council and its partners work continuously to promote and develop a wide range of tourist sites and facilities.

The Somme’s leading tourist destinations include Amiens cathedral and Les Hortillonages gardens, Marquenterre reserve, Baie de Somme railway, Centre d’interprétation de Thiepval, Samara leisure park, Historial de la Grande Guerre Great War museum, Mémorial Terre Neuvien Newfoundland Regiment monument, and others.

The general council, together with its partners and local organisations, runs a series of initiatives as part of its strategic plan to develop sustainable tourism, which is aimed at promoting and developing tourist activities in the Somme. The main focus of its activities is to:

> Develop the Picardy coast area (towns, coastal resorts and tourism facilities),
> Help the certified tourist accommodation sector to improve its accommodation and facilities such as campsites, hotels, self-catering, B&B, etc,
> Help organise exhibitions, fairs and festival days,
> Develop the Somme valley and expand the range of leisure activities: fishing, walks, river tourism, hunting,
> Boost, develop and market tourism programmes in partnership with the tourism board and the Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme Grand littoral Picard.

Key facts

>> 5,341 jobs in the tourism industry
>> 1,432,418 paid overnight stays
(source Assedic - CRT 2008)
>> 82 graded hotels
>> 141 campsites
>> 1,236 lodges and rural self-catering establishments

Source : Comité départemental du Tourisme de la Somme

Leading sectors

Tourisme de mémoire	Loisirs et sports de nature	Tourisme durable	Parcs et Jardins

Gîtes de France	Clévacances	Les logis	Tourisme et Handicap
La clef verte	Camping Qualité	Qualité Tourisme	Bienvenue en France
Natur'évasion

More information :

Le site du Comité départemental du tourisme.
Le site du Syndicat Mixte Baie de Somme Grand littoral Picard.
Découvrez la Baie de Somme, labellisée "Grand site de France".