Abbeville was one of the most beautiful towns in France until May 1940 then German air raid destroyed the wooden framed buildings that made up the town. It was close top here that the French attempted unsuccessfully to halt the German Blitzkrieg led by De Gaulle. Abbeville’s buildings today are nearly all post war but a few historical gems survived.

Collegiale St-Vufram
The Collégiale St-Vulfram although it has the appearance of a cathedral is actually a church. Began in the 15C and completed in the 17C. It was damaged in the war and has been undergoing restoration ever since. Hence the scaffolding in the photo.

Admiral Courbet
The Place d’Amiral Courbet has a damaged statue of Admiral Courbet (1827 – 1885). He was a local hero. This statue, with its reclining women amused the First World War poet, Seigfreid Sassoon when he visited the town while on leave away from the Somme Trenches.
The Musée Boucher de Perthes overlooks Place d’Amiral Courbet. It comprises a 13C belfry, the former 15C Mint with the main museum buildings behind. Boucher de Perthes was an author with a passion for prehistory. The museum displays numerous paintings from the 16C onwards including those by Flemish and local artists.
The old Mint is home to medieval sculptures, local ceramics and tapestries The old belfry has medieval statues and ivories. The second floor of the Museum houses Boucher de Perthes’ prehistoric collection from the Somme Valley. There is a good display of birds in the Natural History Section.