Hôtel Les Coulisses The Originals Boutique

The hotel's relaxation area features a pool. Classic, you might think. What's less typical is that it's a counter-current pool! A heads-up to swimmers and those who swim less often—putting on your swimsuit might quickly turn into a workout! Will you be the king/queen of the pool?

With its cathedral-like proportions, the Basilica of Saint-Quentin is truly impressive! Built between the late 12th and 15th centuries (beauty takes its time!), it stands as a major witness to all stages of Gothic architecture. What's unique about it? It has two transepts, a one-of-a-kind feature in France. Let yourself be enchanted by the sounds of its organ, its mosaics, and even its labyrinth, which pilgrims used to walk on their knees. Then, take to the heights and climb up to the roof to admire the city.

The beating heart and historic center of Saint-Quentin, the Town Hall Square captivates with its vastness and impressive buildings. The most beautiful of them all? The Town Hall itself, completed in 1509, with its flamboyant Gothic façade, praised by Viollet-Leduc as "the most beautiful civil building of the 16th century still standing." Take a moment to admire the intricate stone lacework and its 173 whimsical and sometimes bawdy sculptures!

Saint-Quentin owes the creation of its Butterfly Museum to the passion of a wealthy amateur entomologist, Jules Passet, who, in 1912, bequeathed his entire collection to his hometown. Over the decades, the collection has continued to grow, now featuring more than 130,000 specimens from all corners of the world. The visit is brought to life through listening activities, magnifying glass observations, puzzles, models, and digital tools, blending historical, biological, and heritage information.

Destroyed by more than 70% during World War I, Saint-Quentin rose from its ashes with Art Deco. Today, the city boasts 3,000 buildings, including 277 that are entirely Art Deco. As you walk through the streets, around the corners, and past the shops, the pure and geometric architectural lines of the Roaring Twenties are everywhere, even on the stained glass windows of the basilica. Among the must-sees: the Post Office, the former cinema Le Carillon, the music and drama school, the train station and its buffet, the Casino, and of course, the Municipal Council Chamber.

A favorite spot for joggers, children enjoying the farm, bird lovers, and those seeking tranquility, the Marais d'Isle is a true haven of peace in the heart of the city. This 50-hectare site, classified as a nature reserve, can be explored on foot, by canoe-kayak, or even by bacôves, long flat-bottomed boats.