Péronne is a small town on the banks of the Somme river in the east of the Somme department of Picardy, about 50 kilometres to the east of Amiens. Although it is a quiet provincial town there are several monuments of interest here, and an important museum commemorating the First World War that is the principal attraction to visitors
Substantial parts of the town were reconstructed after extensive damage during the First World War.
Exploring Péronne
Among the most imposing historic monuments in Péronne is the Town Hall, which has an impressive renaissance style facade with various decorative elements and a roof that includes an ornate clocktower. The Town Hall dates from the 13th century although it was largely rebuilt in the 16th century after being damaged during a siege then substantially rebuilt in 1920 after WW1.
The building next to the Town Hall is a post-war reconstruction of the original 18th century building.
You can visit the Alfred Danicourt Museum to see an interesting collection of coins from the period of the gauls as well as other items of ancient jewellery, prehistoric tools and weapons and several 19th century paintings.
As with many places in the Somme, Péronne has a war cemetery which contains the graves of almost 2000 servicemen who died near here in the war.
Another notable monument is the Church of Saint-Jean-the-Baptist, above all for the south facade which is all that remains of the original medieval church, the rest having been destroyed during the war and subsequently rebuilt.
Museum of the Great War (Historial de la Grand Guerre)
This Museum is one of the most interesting in the Somme, with a very large number of items from life during the war, both civilian and military, helping to recreate the period. The items are those that would have seemed ordinary to soldiers and inhabitants of Péronne at that time such as posters and everyday objects. There is also a large number of films from 1914-1918.
The building itself is also interesting. You enter through a gateway in the medieval fortifications in Place André Audinot, part of a 13th century castle which forms a dramatic contrast with the simple lines of the modern architecture of the principal museum building and the adjacent lake.
We recommend you visit this museum when in Péronne - indeed it is the main reason to visit Péronne in the first place.
Attractions nearby
Before leaving the town be sure to take a stroll along the banks of the Somme river, for example on the Boulevard des Anglais, to enjoy the views and peace. The landscape of the region is characterised by this river and the many islands and lagoons in and around Péronne.
About 30 minutes drive north-west of Péronne we suggest you visit the memorial tower at Thiepval. This is a very interesting site and as well as the memorial you can see recreations of trenches and see the area where some of the most fierce fighting took place during the First World War.
You can find more travel ideas in the Somme guide and the Picardy guide.
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Map of Peronne and places nearby
Visit near Peronne with France This Way reviews
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Arras
The belfry and the large number of baroque style houses make the centre of Arras very appealing with little clue that most were rebuilt less than 100 years ago after WW1 damage
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Ourscamp abbey
Ourscamp abbey is an abbey in Picardy, now in ruins and surrounded by a park
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Address: Péronne, Picardy, 80200, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 49.933056, longitude 2.937222
Plan your visit to Peronne, Somme
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Guyencourt-Saulcourt: ville fleurie 4* (13 km)
- Gauchy: ville fleurie 4* (27 km)
- Saint-Quentin: town of art and history (27 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame de Vaucelles (Les Rues-des-Vignes): religious monument (28 km)
- Réserve naturelle des Marais d'Isle: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Cambrai: town of art and history (33 km)
- Beffroi de Cambrai (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (34 km)
- Noyon: town of art and history (39 km)
- Arras: town of art and history (40 km)
- Arras citadelle (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (41 km)
- Réserve naturelle de l'Étang Saint-Ladre: site of natural beauty (41 km)
- Beffroi et hôtel de ville d'Arras (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (41 km)
Market days in Peronne, France
Regular market(s) are held in Peronne each Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Peronne (Francais)