Aisne and Oise
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Abbey of Chaalis

To the southeast of the Somme, away from the coast and the main Paris through-routes, the often rainwashed and dull province of Picardy becomes considerably more inviting. Particularly in the départements of Aisne and Oise, where the region merges with neighbouring Champagne, there are some real attractions set amid lush, wooded hills. Laon, Soissons and Noyon all centre around handsome Gothic cathedrals, while at Compiègne, Napoléon Bonaparte and Napoléon III enjoyed the luxury of a magnificent Château and embellished it to their hearts' content.

Transport is good, too, with a network of bus connections from Amiens and good train and bus links with Paris.