The Abbots of Corbie played an eminent role in the Carolingian period. Their jurisdiction extended over more than 200 parishes. The Abbey's scriptorium was an important cultural centre for Western Christendom up until the end of the IXth century.

Nicolette Boellet, born in Corbie in 1381, canonised in the XIXth century under the name Saint Colette, reformed the Clarisse Order, founded 17 monasteries, including 1 in Amiens, and became the patron saint of Corbie.

A frontier town on the Somme, Corbie has, on many occasions, been put to siege or occupied, notably by the Spanish army in 1636. Its fortifications were demolished on the orders of Louis XIV in 1673. More recently, it suffered considerable damage during the Great War. From the XIXth century right up to the 1960s, Corbie's main industry was hosiery. Affected by the textile crisis, the town branched out into the food-processing industry (Roquette, Friskies), whilst continuing to strengthen its links with the economic centre of Amiens.

With a population of over 6000, Corbie is nowadays the "little town with a big heart", benefitting both from close access to all the amenities of a regional capital and from the charm of a lively small town on the banks of the Somme. Corbie makes good use of its natural and architectural heritage and offers a wide range of activities: fishing, bathing, bicycle touring....

To discover
The former Benedictine abbey **
It has been demolished and rebuilt on a number of occasions. All that remains of its past glory is the XVIIIth century monumental door which gave access to the main courtyard.

The Saint Pierre abbey-church **
Formerly attached to the Abbey, it has kept its imposing XVIth and XVIIth centuries facade. It houses some outstanding statues and relics.

The Saint Etienne collegiate church* (XI-XIIIth)
Today it is occupied by the Sainte-Colette school. Only its nave remains, which is not open to the public. The gate (1160), a listed monument, bears testimony to the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Its XIIth century sculptures were sadly disfigured during the French Revolution.

Sainte Colette viewing point**
From the road to Bray there is a very beautiful view of the Somme valley and the ponds.

Walks in the surrounding area
The rivers flow into mirror-like ponds. The walks are a real delight for anyone who loves this peaceful landscape dominated by water.

Ribemont-sur-Ancre***
Archaeological excavations led by a team from the CNRS (National centre for scientific research) continue to improve our understanding of this outstanding site occupied by the Gauls, then by the Gallo-Romans, and it has acquired an international reputation in the study of the Celts.

The Battlefields of The Somme
• Corbie plateau: some important battles were fought here in 1916 and 1918
• Le Hamel: Australian offensive in 1918
• Villers Bretonneux**: Australian museum and memorial

Road itineraries
The 3 valleys
Itinerary : Daours, Corbie, Heilly, Béhencourt, Bavelincourt, Contay, Herissart, Rubempré, Pierregot, Molliens au Bois, Beaucourt-sur-l’Hallue, Montigny-sur-l’Hallue, Fréchencourt, Saint-Gratien, Querrieu, Bussy-les-Daours

Detailed itinerary available on request from the Somme Tourist Board

Circuit du Souvenir
Activities
Walks

Twenty marked circular walks will guide you through "Corbie-Bocage-Three valleys".

• Sainte Colette circular walk
Topoguide "The Amiens region on foot" walk N°25 : 4hrs 15 mins
Starting from Corbie, via Sainte Colette viewing point, to discover the remains of the château d’Heilly and the vallée de l’Ancre.

• Ponds circular walk
Topoguide "The Amiens region on foot" walk N°26 : 2hrs
Starting from Corbie to discover the Somme valley and the ponds of le Hamelet.
Les Editions Richard in 52 Family walks around Amiens and in the Somme suggest two 2hr circular walks:

• Corbie and the 3 valleys
Starting from the Notre Dame de l’Assomption church in Neuville sous Corbie, the path passes across a larris (limestone slope).

• Around Vaux
Starting from Vaux-sur-Somme church

Cycling

- Bicycle touring
Mountain bike and cycle hire: Cycles Decroix 17, rue Charles de Gaulle / +33 (0)3 22 48 36 93

Golf
Querrieu Golf Course

Fishing

Big Pond at Hamelet, 2.5 hectares
Recommended for: night fishing for carp
Environment: pleasant and wooded
Depth: 0.5 to 2.5 m
Management: AAPMA "Chés Brocheteux"
Requirements: day ticket, holiday ticket or full ticket
Ticket agent:
"Café des pêcheurs", 16 rue F. Deroussen Hamelet

Practical info
Markets
Friday morning

Guided visits
Organised by the Tourist Office, they include visits round the Abbey, the Museum, the Chapel and the house where Saint Colette was born.

Tourist office
13, bis Place de la République - 80800 Corbie
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 96 95 76     Fax : +33 (0)3 22 48 47 07
E-mail : officetourismecorbie.80@wanadoo.fr

Websites :
www.ville-corbie.fr

www.bocage3vallees.com

Population: 6317 (figures from INSEE [French national institute for economic and statistical information]- 1999 census)