Saint-Quentin, 171 km (106 miles) northeast of Paris in the département of Aisne (map), was an important stratgic point in the battles of World War I—but that was only a recent event in its long history.

Founded by the Romans at a ford on the River Somme, the town became famous in the Middle Ages when the remains of Saint Quentin were brought here and interred. A great basilica was built over his tomb. It remains one of the town's finest sites to visit. More...

Its strategic position at the river ford served it well for commerce, but not for peace: army after army fought over it for centuries, culminating in the extensive destruction from bombing during World War I.

Some of Saint-Quentin's old buildings survive, but lovers of Art Deco architecture visit today to see all the buildings constructed in the 1930s in recovery from the war.

Besides the expected monumental buildings made in that period, there are lots of smaller residential and commercial buildings, something unusual.

We think Reims has a better display of residential Art Deco, but Saint-Quentin's is certainly worth a look.

In the midst of the World War I battle sites, and on the edge of the Champagne region, Saint-Quentin can make a good stopping-point on a tour of this part of France.

Park in the big parking lot next to the basilica (map), stay in one of the nearby hotels, and you can enjoy the town and its architecture on foot or by local bus.

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Hotels in Saint-Quentin What to See & Do Transport for Saint-Quentin Tourist Information Amiens Laon Château-Thierry Reims World War I in France Northern France