Saint-Quentin is located in the north-west of the Aisne department of Picardy, and to the north-west of Laon. There is an interesting mix of architectural styles in the town to attract your attention, predominantly gothic and art-deco, hence why Saint-Quentin is officially listed among the 'towns of art and history' in France.
Explore Saint-Quentin
Your visit to Saint-Quentin will centre around the large open square in the town centre, which is close to all the attractions of the town.
The main square is a lovely large open space with large areas given open to attractive planting and to a decorative kiosk. Around the edgs of the square you can see a range of attractive buildings with a range of styles including flemish and art deco.
This main square is overlooked by the impressive gothic style town hall, dating from the early 16th century and with hundreds of statues decorating the impressive facade. Its bell tower has an impressive 37 bells the ringing out of which are famous in the area. Inside the town hall there is an art deco council room as well as a wedding room with a polychrome ceiling.
One of the bigger monuments is the Jean Vilar theatre which was built in the first half of the 19th century and has a neo-classical facade. Inside, its ceiling is decorated with scenes depicting Saint Quentin's restoration after much of the town was destroyed in the first world war.
Nearby is Saint-Quentin's other important monument, the 15th century gothic basilica, notable especially for its interior and the art treasures it contains and its small labyrinth. The basilica was badly damaged during the first world war but some beautiful Renaissance windows survived and others were replaced by attractive art deco windows.
Because the town suffered substantial damage during the First World War (approximately 3/4 of the town was destroyed) a great deal of rebuilding was necessary when the war ended, and many buildings were built using the then-fashionable art deco style.
As a result it now has a very substantial art-deco influence that you will see on many of the buildings. Ask at Saint-Quentin tourist information for a leaflet indicating some of the highlights, such as the Music School, the Salle de Conseil, and the main Post Office (Rue de Lyon).
After exploring the buildings of the town centre you can take a stroll also in the extensive 'Champs-Elysees', an extensive and nicely maintained garden and park area.
Saint-Quentin Museums
There are several museums in Saint-Quentin, covering a wide range of interests such as:
- the Family House of Matisse,
- the Museum of Resistance and Deportation in Picardy,
- the Birthplace of Nicolas de Condorcet,
- the 18th century French philosopher, and
- the Museum Antoine-Luceyer, named for a highly regarded 19th century portrait painter
Places to Visit Nearby
Saint-Quentin is not far from the wonderful town of Arras with its two beautiful squares in the Flemish style. The town of Reims is also worth visiting to see its historic centre.
Explore elsewhere in the North East France. You can find more travel ideas in the Aisne guide and the Picardy guide.
Photos of Saint-Quentin
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Saint-Quentin
Reserve excursions
Book hotels, car hire and flights
Hotels in Saint-Quentin
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Saint-Quentin and places nearby
Visit near Saint-Quentin with France This Way reviews
Peronne
The town of Péronne is above all known for its impressive Museum commemorating life in the Somme during the First World War
Peronne guide
Cambrai
Remarkably for the town that was the site of the world's first ever tank batle, Cambrai is very interesting to explore with lots of historical monuments and a high quality museum
Cambrai guide
Noyon
The medieval centre of Noyon is dominated by its cathedral in the 'transition' style (between roman and gothic periods) and related monuments
Noyon guide
Laon
The cathedral in Laon is an astonishing early gothic masterpiece, and the Museum of Laon is another unexpected highlight
Laon guide
Ourscamp abbey
Ourscamp abbey is an abbey in Picardy, now in ruins and surrounded by a park
Ourscamp abbey guide
Maroilles
It is the riverside setting and the buildings that remain of the abbey complex that once stood here that form the main attraction in Maroilles
Maroilles guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Aisne
Tourist classifications for Saint-Quentin
Saint-Quentin is classified as a listed town of Art and History
Address: Saint-Quentin, Picardy, 2100, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 49.848611, longitude 3.286389
Plan your visit to Saint-Quentin, Aisne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Réserve naturelle des Marais d'Isle: site of natural beauty
- Gauchy: ville fleurie 4* (3 km)
- Guyencourt-Saulcourt: ville fleurie 4* (22 km)
- Eglise de Notre Dame de Vaucelles (Les Rues-des-Vignes): religious monument (26 km)
- Réserve naturelle des Landes de Versigny: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Jardins du château: remarkable garden (28 km)
- Vivaise: ville fleurie 4* (32 km)
- Cambrai: town of art and history (35 km)
- Noyon: town of art and history (36 km)
- Beffroi de Cambrai (Belfries of Belgium and France): heritage site (36 km)
- Chateau Coucy: national monument (36 km)
- Laon: secteur sauvegarde (41 km)
Market days in Saint-Quentin, France
Regular market(s) are held in Saint-Quentin each Wednesday & Sunday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Saint-Quentin (Francais)