Itinerary: a week's cycling in the Somme Valley

There are several possible starting points for the Somme Valley Cycle Route, on the Aisne side: Fonsomme for the brave, at the very source of the Somme, or Tergnier, which is practical because it is directly linked to Paris by the TER.

But a simple change is all it takes to get to Ham, on the edge of the Somme. Directly from the station, the Véloroute takes small roads to catch up with the Canal du Nord, which you follow at the pace of the barges until you get back to the river.

This first section ends in Péronne, a must on the Circuit du Souvenir, with its fascinating museum dedicated to the Great War and the Battle of the Somme: the Historial. Make sure you get there before it closes!

A slightly longer stage, and one of the greenest and wildest on our route. After Péronne, the Somme twists and turns through deeply rural countryside in the heart of the Picardy region.

The cycle route is straighter, following the towpath that runs alongside the canalised Somme. There are a number of stops on the programme, including Frise to admire the view from the lookout point, Cappy for a break by the water, Froissy for a bite to eat and to watch the "P'tit train à vapeur de la Vallée de la Somme" go by...

The day ends in Corbie, a peaceful village famous for its ancient Saint-Pierre abbey church. The most courageous will make the diversions to the lookout point on the Sainte-Colette cliff, to take in the Somme Valley at a glance.

It's a short stretch today to Amiens from Corbie, and that's just as well: it will give us more time to discover all the sights of the capital of Picardy.

After Corbie, the course of the Somme becomes wooded and pastoral again, as you pedal gently along the hillsides on either side of the Daours lock. The riverbanks gradually become more urbanised as you approach the outskirts of Amiens. But before entering the city centre, there's a first surprise not to be missed: the Hortillonnages d'Amiens, an astonishing network of market gardens on the water, can be explored by bike.

Then pedal into the heart of Amiens, to the forecourt of its incredible Notre-Dame cathedral, the largest in France, and through the canal-lined streets of the Saint-Leu district, where you can spend a lively evening.

We set off early in the morning for what promises to be a longer stage, with many interesting stops along the way. From Amiens, a well-maintained track takes us down the Somme Valley, which is once again wooded and lush: it's hard to see the distances go by!

En route, take a break at the medieval château of Picquigny, then further on at the more romantic château of Long (18th century). Linger a while in the narrow streets of Long, reputed to be one of the most beautiful villages in the Somme Valley.

All this finally leads us to Abbeville, famous for its UNESCO-listed belfry and the flamboyant Gothic collegiate church of Saint-Vulfran.

Abbeville allows us to start the day at the gateway to the Bay of the Somme. The route, which is 100% cycle track, is straight, following the canal through wet, rural countryside, alternating between marshes, fields and wooded areas.

All this heralds the natural spectacle to come: the canalised Somme ends its course in the Bay of the Somme, near the small port of Saint-Valery. With its mudflats and salt meadows, the landscape of this vast estuary is breathtaking. We took advantage of the opportunity to continue our walk as far as Cap Hornu, then the Pointe du Hourdel, still on the tracks, with the aim of spotting the bay's famous seals!

Back to Saint-Valery to finish the day: between the medieval upper town and the old fishermen's houses of the Courtgain district, this is a stopover full of charm.

Today we're leaving the Somme Valley cycle route to follow a section of another signposted route around the Bay of the Somme from Saint-Valery to Le Crotoy.

On the way, stop off for a stroll along the paths through the salt meadows of the bay, home to many birds. Take a break at Le Crotoy, where you can rest on the pleasant sandy beach at high tide, unless you prefer to continue on the back roads to the Parc du Marquenterre, a major bird sanctuary.

Evening at Le Crotoy, on the shores of the Bay of the Somme.

As our week of cycling draws to a close, it's time to head home! Bikes aren't a nuisance, as there are two options for turning back with them from Le Crotoy.