Saint-Quentin’s Art Deco splendour:

Founded by the Romans, a major medieval trading centre, Saint-Quentin, on the Hindenburg Line, suffered extensive damage during WWI. Thanks to Germany’s world war I reparation fund, architects were able to apply the lines of a new lifestyle, that of the Roaring Twenties and the 13th century Basilica and 16th century Hotel de Ville have been beautifully restored. 

Born in France, art deco began in 1908, but it’s progress was interrupted by WW1. In 1925, the style was consecrated at the international exhibition of decorative arts in Paris, it was to fizzle out in the 1930s. Art deco is a merging of art of various influences: antiquity, cubism, the arts of Africa and the Far East. 

 

Saint-Quentin, listed town of Art and History, is the perfect town for immersing yourself in the cultural heritage of France. After WW1, it was the beginning of the roaring twenties. Saint-Quentin, which needed restoration and had a desire to break with the past, turned to modernism, purity of forms and reinforced concrete. The genre of art deco is beautifully represented in the town’s streets with outstanding buildings such as the Post Office with its grand hall, Le Carillon Cinema, the lanterns of the Pont d’Isle and the Conservatoire de Musique et de Théâtre. There are about 3,000 art deco facades in Saint-Quentin! Go to rue de le Sellerie, you’ll find all the art deco trends in Saint-Quentin are there.

Foodies will love Saint-Quentin’s friendly café lifestyle - there are loads of superb restaurants and bars that the locals are proud to share with you. Gastronomy truly is at the heart of cultural holidays in northern France. 

Enjoy a lunch at restaurant Villa d’Isle in a charming 18th century building with a light and airy art deco interior (reservation in advance is essential). 

 

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the city centre market adds a buzz to the day and a chance to shop for scrumptious French delicacies and local produce. 

 

On the edge of the imposing and magnificent central Place is the ancient Hotel de Ville with its 173 statues representing scenes of life in the town in the middle ages, and inside, a very impressive art deco interior. Atop it is a bell tower that was rebuilt in the 18th century, a carillon of 37 bells make for a marvellous musical backdrop to life in Saint-Quentin. Close by enjoy a coffee break at L’Artisanes where the mouth-watering choice of coffees are chosen by Elodie Courtin, a finalist in the best coffee roasters of France competition.

No visit would be complete without admiring the Gothic Basilica of Saint Quentin which can be seen from miles around, bigger even than the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. Building of it began in the 12th century but much of it dates to the 15th century and it is the burial place of Saint Quentin after whom the town is named. A particular peculiarity to note is the frame of the basilica - made of reinforced concrete. 

 

The architects living in Saint Quentin, may have been inspired by the Isle marsh for some of their achievements. They transposed natural elements such as water, fire and wind on the facades of buildings. Part of the marshes of Isle is classified as a nature reserve, they are best visited by bacôve (a flat-bottomed boat).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relax in a chateau-style B&B

3 Rue Emile Zola

F-02100 Saint-Quentin

Tel: + 33 3 23 67 05 00