by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:16th June 2026
A delightful blend of Gothic and Art Deco styling
Gary and I adore touring France; we have been exploring many of its stunning regions for the last three decades, and we always find somewhere new and inspiring to visit across this beautiful land.
The more towns and villages we explore in France, the further we want to venture. Every time we visit, we discover a wealth of new locations to add to our ever-growing list, and Saint-Quentin was one of them.
A couple of years ago, we purchased our first EV, and after sneaking in a short mini-break to Normandy, we decided that same year we wanted to fully stretch its legs and embrace the new world of EV touring through France. I must admit I couldn’t believe how easy it was; France has welcomed this technology change with open arms.
Why not Pin it for later?
Take a browse through our 2024 EV French road trip escapades to see the incredible places we visited. We loved the experience so much that we plotted another French road trip for 2025.
This two-week EV adventure began from the moment we jumped aboard Le Shuttle in Folkestone and headed under the English Channel. Our first destination was Saint-Quentin (no, not the town with the famous prison), this delightful French town is located in the region of Hauts-de-France.
Did you catch our further inspiration for this French road trip?
Where is Saint-Quentin?
How to get to Saint-Quentin
- By Car
Departing from the UK to France, there are various options. You can either jump on Le Shuttle and arrive in Calais in 35 minutes or enjoy a leisurely cruise on the open waves with Brittany Ferries, DFDS or P&O.
- By Air
If you’re flying into France, search for flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) for the best range of international routes, then continue to Saint-Quentin by train in around 1.5–2 hours. Alternatively, Lille Airport (LIL) is slightly closer with some European connections, with onward travel by train or car.
Brief history of Saint-Quentin
Survival against all oddsSaint-Quentin lies on the banks of the River Somme in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, with a history that stretches back to Roman times. The town was originally known as Augusta Viromanduorum and was an important settlement for the Viromandui, a Gallic tribe allied with Rome.
Monument de la Bataille de Saint-Quentin
Its modern name comes from Saint Quentin of Amiens, a Christian missionary believed to have been martyred there in the 3rd century during the Roman persecutions. Over time, pilgrims began visiting his tomb, and the town grew around the religious importance of the site.
River Somme
By the Middle Ages, Saint-Quentin had become a prosperous trading centre thanks to its position between Flanders and Paris, with cloth-making and commerce bringing wealth to the area.
In more recent history, Saint-Quentin found itself close to the front lines during both World Wars, due to its strategic railway connections and location in northern France. In World War I, Saint-Quentin suffered extreme damage during the German occupation, with around 80% of its buildings targeted, and fighting around the Hindenburg Line.
War Memorial 1914-18 & 1939-45
Saint-Quentin gradually recovered from these atrocities and rebuilt itself remarkably well; today, it’s known for its elegant Art Deco architecture, beautiful basilica, and relaxed northern French character. Walking around the town now, you get a sense of layers of history sitting side by side, Roman roots, medieval prosperity, wartime scars, and the stylish rebuilding of the 1920s.
Saint-Quentin is a really charming town to visit and one that is a little off the tourist radar.
Stay informed
You will find us across many forms of social media. You will find our latest posts, some throwbacks, links to historic events with our 'On this day' posts, across Facebook, X, Bluesky & Threads. Each week, themed visual content on Instagram, and our narrated travels on YouTube. Collections of the images in our posts are also collated into boards on Pinterest.
The historic heart of Saint-Quentin
A discovery in Place de l'Hôtel de VilleAs we wander towards Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, there are so many attractive buildings with intricate wrought-iron balconies and striking bay windows peering down on the streets below. Keep an eye out for the Vieux puits, an old well which is 32 metres deep, originally dug in 1719.
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Quentin
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Quentin is one of those squares that immediately feels grand and lived-in at the same time. The city itself became an important medieval trading centre. By the 12th century, the square had become the civic heart of Saint-Quentin, slightly away from the original religious centre around the basilica. Merchants, markets, and town politics all revolved around this majestic open space for centuries. A market still resides here today.
Vieux puits – Old Well
The real star of the square is the Hôtel de Ville itself, completed in 1509 and often described as one of the finest civic buildings in northern France. Its style is flamboyant Gothic with a strong Flemish influence, which makes sense given how closely this region traded with Flanders and the Low Countries.
Jean-Vilar Theatre
Façade of Hôtel de Ville
The façade of the Hôtel de Ville is wonderfully theatrical, covered with elaborate carvings, pointed arches, and around 170 whimsical sculptures depicting animals, strange figures, and scenes from everyday medieval life. The three-stepped gables along the roofline give it that unmistakable northern European look.
Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Quentin at night
What makes the square especially interesting is how it tells the story of Saint-Quentin’s rebuilding after the First World War. The city was heavily damaged in 1918, and much of the area around the square had to be reconstructed. As a result, alongside the older façades, you’ll notice elegant Art Deco buildings from the 1920s, with beautiful geometric lines.
Saint-Quentin is actually one of France’s hidden Art Deco capitals, and this square is a perfect introduction to that side of the city
A few Art Deco gems in Saint-Quentin
An elegance throughout the streetsThe unassuming town of Saint-Quentin often surprises people as it keeps a low but distinguished profile below the tourist radar. As I mentioned, Saint-Quentin was heavily damaged during the First World War; much of it was rebuilt in the 1920s and 30s, right at the height of the Art Deco movement.
Part of the former Nouvelles Galeries department store
Instead of trying to recreate everything exactly as it had been, the city embraced modern design, so today you’ll find geometric façades, decorative brickwork, stained glass, mosaics and elegant iron balconies all over the centre. It’s often described as an open-air Art Deco museum, with around 3,000 Art Deco façades scattered through the streets.
Former Magasin Seret
What makes Saint-Quentin especially interesting is that the Art Deco blends with older Gothic and Flemish architecture, so you get this lovely mix of medieval France and Roaring Twenties optimism all in one town. It feels stylish but still very lived-in and relaxed, not overly polished or touristy.
Saint-Quentin train station
Even as you step off the train in Saint-Quentin, you are greeted with an Art Deco gem. Take a peek inside the buffet de la gare to see its delightful mosaic walls. The exterior survived WWI but was destroyed by fire not long after. The façade seen today was built in 1926.
Conservatoire of Music and Theatre
Conservatoire of Music and Theatre at night
The building that Gary and I particularly loved was the Conservatoire of Music and Theatre. It is one of the city’s prettiest Art Deco buildings, created in 1929. It blends elegant geometric lines with subtle Flemish influences and fits beautifully into Saint-Quentin’s remarkable collection of Art Deco architecture.
Today it’s a lively cultural hub, where music, theatre and performance bring the historic building to life, a charming mix of 1920s style and modern creativity. It’s even prettier in the evening.
Follow the Art Deco plaques
These are just a few of the many Art Deco splendours to be found around the historic streets of Saint Quentin.
France Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to tour France and discover all the delightful things it has to offer, take a peek at the official French Tourism website. The local tourist offices dotted around the towns and cities provide some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around each region.
Visiting the Basilique de Saint-Quentin
History beneath your feetThe Basilique de Saint-Quentin is the heart and soul of Saint-Quentin, and it’s one of those places that quietly surprises you with just how magnificent it is. Although it’s called a basilica today, much of the building feels more like a cathedral, with soaring Gothic arches, beautiful stained glass, and an enormous nave that fills with light.
Basilique de Saint-Quentin
Construction began as early as the 12th century, but, like many great French churches, it evolved over several centuries, blending early Gothic and later flamboyant Gothic styles together. It was built to honour Saint Quentin, a Christian martyr believed to have died here during Roman times.
Nave of Basilique de Saint-Quentin
Ornate stained-glass windows
What makes the basilica especially interesting is the extent to which it has survived through the centuries. It was heavily damaged during both World Wars, and the church was painstakingly restored; today, it looks remarkably elegant again.
Inside the Basilique de Saint-Quentin
Inside, there’s a calm, almost understated atmosphere compared with some of France’s more famous cathedrals, and that’s part of its charm. If you wander around the town centre, the basilica’s towers dominate the skyline and give Saint-Quentin a distinctly historic feel.
Places to visit in France
If you adore road trippin’ through France like we do, exploring north, south, east, and west, then take a peek at the captivating destinations in our French location posts. You’ll find so many gorgeous villages, towns and cities, some you may have heard of; however, I’m sure you’ll find new inspiration.
Exploring the streets of Saint-Quentin
Unique style and appealWe continue wending our way around the charming lanes of Saint-Quentin, just behind Hôtel de Ville, is a picturesque square where friends and family gather for a chat, lunch and a relaxing drink.
Rue de Petit Butin
Take a stroll to the eye-catching Museum of Fine Arts Antoine Lécuyer. This lovely museum houses 93 pastel portraits by the French painter Maurice Quentin de La Tour, who served as the official portraitist of Louis XV. The original museum was destroyed during WWI and rebuilt in the neoclassical style between 1929 and 1931.
Museum of Fine Arts, Antoine Lécuyer
Another architectural delight is the Espace Saint-Jacques, which houses Musée des Papillons, a charming museum displaying a beautiful collection of thousands of colourful butterflies and insects gathered from around the world.
Musée des Papillons
 Street Art in Saint-Quentin
Of course, there’s always time to seek out the local talented street artists, and Saint-Quentin is not short of choice.
Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France
If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.
Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.
The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.
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