 |
Seen
from
the
top
of
the
basilica
of
Saint-Quentin,
a
masterpiece
of
Gothic
architecture,
the
Saint-Quentinois
in
the
North-West
of
the
Aisne,
is
primarily
an
agricultural
area
:
broad,
fertile
plains
which
change
their
colour
and
texture
with
the
seasons,
depending
on
the
crops
being
grown.
The
Val
d’Omignon
marks
a
clear
break
in
the
landscape,
with
plains
giving
way
to
leafy
valleys.
The
sort
of
countryside
to
explore
on
foot,
by
bike
..
or
by
boat
:
the
Saint-Quentinois
is
also
a
land
of
waterways
and
canals,
with
the
Saint-Quentin
canal,
the
source
of
both
the
Escaut
and
Somme
rivers
and
the
canal
joining
the
Sambre
to
the
Oise.
Ideal
for
walks
along
the
canal
towpaths
or
for
taking
to
the
water
in
a
boat.
In
the
heart
of
this
region
stands
the
largest
town
in
the
Aisne,
a
curious
blend
of
Flemish
town
and
Art
Deco
architecture,
of
unusual
places,
such
as
the
Isle
Nature
Reserve
right
in
the
town
centre
or
the
Lécuyer
museum
with
its
wonderful
collection
of
pastels
by
Maurice
Quentin
de
la
Tour.
