IF YOU are planning a holiday or short trip to France it is unlikely that Picardy would be your first pick.

But if you are looking for something a little different, somewhere with stunning scenery, fine food and drink and a history to sear the senses then this region of Northern France is perfect.

It doesn't take long to get there. Just an easy two hour motorway drive from Calais and you are in the heart of Picardy and ready to explore.

The First World War museums and monuments stand as testimonies to the battle of Somme, one of the most important battles of the First World War in 1916, in which almost three million men of more than 20 nationalities were involved.

More than 1.2 million soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action at the Somme and it is worth a visit to the Historial de la Grande Guerre museum in Péronne, the Somme museum in Albert, and the memorial Franco-Britannique in Thiepval where you can't fail to be moved by the events of those horrific times.

To learn more about the history of the region, it is worth visiting one of the six gothic cathedrals, the abbeys, the fortified churches and the Compiègne and Pierrefonds chateaux. Amiens, the capital of Picardy, has a cathedral which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece and Jules Verne’s House, and the floating gardens, “les hortillonages”, are also in the city.

If it is open spaces that appeal, you can take in the air in one of the 72 parks and gardens opened to the public, or enjoy horse riding, sand yachting, cycling, hiking, sailing, golf either in one of the royal forests, the beautiful countryside or on the wide sandy beaches of the bay of Somme, which is listed as one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

In traditional guest houses you can taste authentic and fine food such as Maroilles cheese, crème Chantilly, Ficelle Picarde (pancakes filled with ham and mushrooms), and then curl up by the fireside with a glass of Picardian Champagne.

They say that behind every historic site and gourmet tradition, there's a Picardian willing to share their passion and help you discover the region in a new way, so why not put them to the test?

The area also organises numerous events in December and January to attract seasonal visitors.

Amiens Christmas Market, November 24 to December 29

The Christmas Market in Amiens, the capital city of Picardy, is the biggest in Northern France. It offers 120 stalls in the pedestrian area, as well as an ice-skating rink, a merry-go-round and plenty of “vin chaud”. At dusk, the cathedral façade is spectacularly illuminated to recreate its original polychrome colour scheme. A magic atmosphere for Christmas .

Saint Quentin Christmas Market, December 8 to January 6.

The most traditional Christmas market in Picardy is organized in front of the town hall in Saint Quentin. It has an 820 square meter ice rink, a sledging slope over 20 meters long and many “chalets” from which you can buy your traditional Christmas presents.

The Christmas horse and the child show, Chantilly , from December 1 to January 7

Every year in December, the Living Horse Museum celebrates the time of The Advent and Christmas. Exciting races and dizzying displays - a spectacular involving 22 horses and 10 riders all brought together to amuse young and old alike.