It’s a stopover place, but we happily stay there for two full days. With its warm interior which invites you to sit there and browse the tourist documentation, its terrace overlooking the River Somme, its deckchairs, and its pétanque court, the Nièvre Somme Tourism House in Picquigny is perfect for enjoying the place. It is one of ten houses in the Somme valley. This March 30, the managers of these Houses gathered there at the invitation of the Departmental Council – which holds five – for the launch of the network which now brings them together.
«The development of this network of Maisons de la Vallée along the River Somme and the Vallée de Somme cycle route is taking place within the framework of the Vallée de Somme, Vallée ideale strategy, the objective of which is to offer leisure and tourist activities within a remarkable natural heritage, and contribute to develop the local economy. The managers of the Maisons de la Vallée are ambassadors of the riches of the Somme“, comments Christelle Hiver, president of the Department.
The Picquigny Tourism House opened in January 2022, installed in the old house and its renovated lock keeper, is a fine example of promoting local wealth. HAS”Our first mission is welcoming and promoting the territory. Our flagship activity is the rental of electric boats without a license, to navigate the Somme in complete freedom. A thousand people benefited from it in 2025», present Gwendoline Brazier-Duval, the manager.
The team made the place a “real animation”, with also the rental of bikes and scooters, boat aperitif evenings in summer, concerts, guided tours and cultural events… The neighboring nautical base is also attractive, being the only rafting spot in the department. HAS”We serve drinks in the summer, as well as ice creams from Label Chèvrerie d’Ailly-sur-Noye which are a hit!» What’s new is the unusual accommodation. HAS”We have two cyclo lodges, small wooden rooms for two people, and Jules’ boat, a super-challenger sailboat from 1950 designed to accommodate six people including two children.»
Ten Houses, ten atmospheres
The other houses in the valley have their own particularity. In Froissy for example, a few steps from the P’tit train de la Haute Somme, Véronique Don Pereira’s Halte gourmande is a creperie. HAS”I also welcome bicycles, have a picnic area and a roof top gîte.» Hervé Nowak, lui, a redonné vie à la maison éclusière de Lamotte-Brebière. «We installed a chip shop food truck and a barn to welcome people, in the spirit of a tavern. We dance until one in the morning, we organize concerts, theater, we hosted the European championship of customized bikes… We were even victims of our success this year, so much so that we are hiring for the next season.»
Two new Houses
Two new Maisons de la Vallée are joining the network this year. The first is still under construction in Corbie. HAS”This is the Val de Somme tourist office which is moving from the city center to the banks of the Somme. The building stands out for its modern and environmentally friendly architecture“, it is presented. The second is the former Repos du pêcheur de Petit-Port, taken over a year ago by Matthieu and his family, renamed La Guinguette de Petit-Port. HAS”We organize concert evenings, theater, culinary events using local products…»And as in all the Maisons de la Vallée, cyclists are welcomed with open arms.
The Houses of the valley, from East to West: Éclusier-Vaux, Cappy, Froissy, Corbie, Lamotte-Brebière, Ailly-sur-Somme, Picquigny, Long, Petit-Port, Saint-Valéry-Sur-Somme.
