The Somme region in northern France boasts a long and richly layered history. From its poignant memorial sites to the historic capital of Amiens, home to one of Europe’s greatest Gothic cathedrals, the area offers powerful culture alongside glorious countryside. Add La Baie de la Somme, officially recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful bays, and you have yet another compelling reason to visit. Complete the experience with a stay at Le Macassar Chambre d’Hôtes, a stunning historic B&B in the heart of the Somme, and your visit is elevated to an entirely new level of wow.
Le Macassar – a historic B&B in the Somme
Just two hours north of Paris, Le Macassar fronts onto the main square of the charming riverside town of Corbie. This bustling market town, with several restaurants and bars, boasts over 1,500 years of history and the iconic Abbey St. Pierre still dominates the town.
And Le Macassar could be considered a historic site in its own right. Named after the ebony wood that was popular in the Art Deco era, the Art Nouveau-Art Deco mansion is owned by Deborah and Gordon Murphy. Originally from Canada, the couple lived in Europe for many years before discovering the property. Their love of French history and architecture has allowed them to create a warm home within a historic setting.
“This house has had a charmed life,” says Deborah. “Most of the town of Corbie was badly damaged during World War One, but by some miracle, this property was spared. We are only the fifth owners in the last 150 years, and successive custodians have taken care to preserve and maintain the property. It has a truly special atmosphere, and every room has a story behind it.”
Step into history at Le Macassar
What makes Le Macassar truly unique is its collection of beautifully preserved rooms, each thoughtfully designed and showcasing a variety of architectural styles that guests are invited to enjoy. Among them, the Ohannessian Room stands out as a remarkable parlor featuring a sixteen-panel ceramic installation by the celebrated Armenian ceramicist David Ohannessian. This extraordinary space offers an immersive artistic experience rarely found in a hotel setting. The presence of Ohannessian’s work, an artist whose pieces are housed in world-class museums, including the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem, adds a rare sense of cultural depth and distinction. In 1925, following his visit to the Art Deco Exposition in Paris, Ohannessian met the owners of Le Macassar, who commissioned these exceptional panels. Crafted in his Jerusalem workshop, the installation remains a striking testament to the property’s artistic heritage and enduring elegance.
Then there’s the marvellous Louis Majorelle drawing room in which the cabinetry, fireplace and lighting have been attributed to the famous Art Nouveau designer (unfortunately the records for these creations were destroyed in fires).
On the top floor is the billiard room with its high, vaulted ceiling and solid timber flooring scattered with oriental carpets. This space is dominated by an Art Deco fireplace and a full-size 1940s billiard table that will tempt you to play, or you can relax in one of the inviting settees and select something from the built-in shelves filled with books and board games.
Each bedroom is generously proportioned and rich in character, decorated with period furnishings and original artworks that celebrate the building’s heritage. The Art Deco Suite is light-filled and elegant, with sycamore and maple panelling, velvet-clad walls and a distinct sense of 1920s French glamour. In contrast, the Macassar Suite features a dramatic vaulted ceiling with exposed A-frame timbers, while its spacious bathroom is discreetly concealed behind ornate Moorish doors. The Empire Suite feels like a private period apartment, complete with bespoke monochrome toile de Jouy wallpapers and fabrics, original artworks, a carved stone fireplace, and a striking marble-and-mosaic bathroom.
The wine cave dates back to 881, constructed in the aftermath of Viking raids as part of a network of tunnels and escape rooms designed to shelter inhabitants from future attacks. Today, Deborah and Gordon can arrange champagne, wine and whisky tastings here — an unforgettable way to admire the ancient vaulted ceiling and trace the thumbprints still visible in the bricks, left by their makers more than a thousand years ago. One final gem awaits above ground: a beautiful private garden, the perfect place to unwind on a warm summer evening.
And yes, Le Macassar is a big draw in its own right – but there’s so much to see in the area, it’s worth venturing out.
Memorial sites
If you’re coming to northern France to visit WWI memorial sites, Le Macassar is an ideal base: the key sites are in easy reach and after a day of emotional experiences, you can return to a relaxing retreat and feel cocooned.
The Villers Bretonneux Memorial and Military Cemetery in France. The memorial was built after the Armistice and holds the graves of 1089 British soldiers’, 779 Australians, 267 Canadians, 4 Afrikaners and 2 New Zealanders. At the far end of the cemetery stands the Australian Memorial, where the names of 11,000 men are engraved and those ‘known only to God’.
Just 30 minutes away is Thiepval, home to the world’s largest Commonwealth memorial and the focal point for those who died at the Somme but have no known grave. Here, you can also visit the Thiepval Museum, which presents the history of World War One from all sides, including the memories of those involved.
Nature and Cycling
The Somme river valley is a great option for those who enjoy the outdoors; choose from a range of hiking options, each with well-marked trails and different levels of difficulty. There are also marked routes that take you along the river or through the tranquil back roads to visit nearby villages.
Fabulous French visits nearby
This is a wonderful area to explore, and there are plenty of day trips to enjoy purely for pleasure. The beautiful town of Amiens, with its immense Gothic cathedral, the largest in France, is 25 minutes west of Le Macassar. Amiens has even been nicknamed ‘the Venice of the north’ thanks to its medieval floating gardens, Les Hortillonnages with 65km of waterways dotted with islands that were once used to grow plants and crops.
The Underground City of Nours, a 30-minute drive north of Corbie is a unique experience. Built in the Middle Ages, the caves sheltered locals and their animals from marauding armies right up until the 17th century. At its peak, there were 300 rooms and 30 large chambers constructed in the former chalk mine. During WWI it was a popular visit for Commonwealth soldiers who carved their names into the chalk. Many were later identified and in the museum some of their stories are told.
Head an hour northwest of Corbie and you’ll arrive at the coast where you’ll discover the Baie de Somme Picardy, officially one of the ‘Most Beautiful Bays of the World’, dotted with picturesque fishing villages joined by a steam train railway circuit which crossed the maritime regional nature park with magnificent natural landscapes It is also home to the Parc du Marquenterre, an ornithological sanctuary that extends over 200 hectares of marshes, dunes and reed beds. Enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants in these villages.
And if you prefer not to drive, there’s a train station in Corbie and you can travel easily to Amiens (around 15 minutes, and from where you can travel to Paris in under and hour making Paris an easy day trip), Arras and Lille with its many museums, art galleries, historic architecture and fantastic restaurants.
Whether you’re planning a trip to visit memorial sites or simply want to explore a picturesque part of France, this is a fabulous region for a break. And if you stay at Le Macassar, you’ll feel that you have your own little piece of French paradise waiting for you at the end of each day.
Find out more and book your stay at Le Macassar: lemacassar.com
