« WE MAKE MENTION OF THE CHOIR OF ... WALK IT IS THE PARTHENON OF FRENCH BEAUVAIS ARCHITECTURE; IT ONLY REQUIRES TO BE COMPLETED. »

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc / 1868

The City of Art and History Beauvais has been part of the Information WELCOME department national network of Villes et HAUTS-DE- Coordinates and implements Pays d’art et d’histoire (Cities « Ville d’art et d’histoire » TO THE TOURIST the initiative of Beauvais City and Countries of Art and Ville de Beauvais of Art and History. All year round, History) since 2012. Direction des affaires culturelles it organises events for local The Ministry of Culture and Espace culturel OFFICE residents and school pupils and Communication awards the label François-Mitterrand is at your disposal for any project. Cities and Countries of Art and Rue de Gesvres Guided : History to local authorities that 60000 BEAUVAIS from April to September This document was designed carry out activities to promote 03 44 15 67 00 Every week, a guide will tell you all under the direction of Marie and enhance their architecture [email protected] about the history and heritage of Ansar, architecture and heritage and their heritage. It attests to All the cultural news about Beauvais. interpreter in partnership with the the competence of the official the city can be found on Information on +33 (0) 44 15 30 34 Tourist Office of Beauvais urban tour guides, and the curators of culture.beauvais.fr If you are in a group district the architecture and heritage and The Tourist Office can organise guided the quality of their actions. From Office de Tourisme visits all year round, advance booking Photos ancient vestiges to 21st Century de l’Agglomération de Beauvais is required. Communication department architecture, cities and countries 1, Rue Beauregard The brochure for groups «Sélectionnez of Beauvais city, unless otherwise showcase the diversity of their 60000 BEAUVAIS l’idéal» can be provided on demand. Are you looking for the ideal stated - Cathedral on the cover : heritage. 03 44 15 30 30 Information on +33 (0) 44 15 30 34 souvenir ? We also offer local products (beers B. Teissedre - Tourist office Today, a network of 186 cities and [email protected] Follow the salamander to its shelter made in Beauvais, cider, handmade - Beauvais countries offer you their expertise More information on at the tourist office. honey, asse’s milk soap, biscuits and throughout France. beauvaistourisme.fr The tourist office shop offers a wide personalized items of the city such Map range of products which revolve as marble magnets, collector’s coins, Geographical information sys- around the salamander, the mythical Nearby: thimbles, keyrings, mugs, board tems of Beauvais urban district Métropole, Boulogne- animal, symbol of the revival of games... Beauvais. sur-Mer, Cambrai, Chantilly, , Design Lens-Liévin, , , Roubaix, And it’s not over... Come and discover more items inside the tourist office. Communication department of Saint-Omer, Saint-Quentin, Pays Our team will help you to find the best souvenir of Beauvais to bring it back Beauvais city - 03/2019 de in and home with you. have all been awarded the “Ville et Pays d’art et To find out more about the history d’histoire” label. and heritage of Beauvais...... a collection of brochures are available Available at le Quadrilatère and the Tourist Office ... but also from Beauvais was founded in the 1st Century AD under the name of Caesaromagus ‘The market of Caesar” before being renamed Civitas Bellovacorum or the “City of THE CATHEDRAL the Bellovaques”, from which its current name is derived. In the early Middle Ages, the city was raised to the rank of Diocese, the seat of the Count Bishop, who built his DISTRICT cathedral in the heart of what had been the ancient city. From this time, the city was (1.2 km – 30 min) renowned for its textile activity. In 1664, the city’s expertise in this area led Colbert, the Financial Comptroller of Louis XIV, to set up a royal -making manufactory, 1 COLLÉGIALE SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY 4 NOTRE-DAME DE LA BASSE-ŒUVRE which found fame all around Europe. Beauvais kept its image as a medieval city until This gothic structure is the only Beauvais has preserved not one but spring 1940, when 80% of the city centre was destroyed by the German Air Force. remaining vestige of the collegiate two cathedrals. As construction of This meant it had to be rebuilt and the urban area modernised, while continuing to church of Saint Barthelemy – a church until was never completed, the first showcase the ancient heritage. the Revolution, only the choir has resisted cathedral, Notre-Dame de la Basse-Œuvre, the passage of time. was partially retained and still stands modestly alongside the imposing Gothic 2 LE QUADRILATÈRE structure. Opened in 1976 to exhibit produced in the Beauvais workshop, 5 MUDO – MUSÉE DE L’ Le Quadrilatère is today home to exhibitions This palace was the home of famous of all artistic fields. bishops including Philippe de Dreux, nephew of King Louis VII, and Pierre 3 CATHÉDRALE SAINT-, who condemned to the This Cathedral boasts the highest stake. Today it houses the collections of the Gothic vaults in the world, and Oise Museum, which illustrate the virtuosity symbolises the power of the Bishops of of the artists and the expertise of the Beauvais, the Counts of the city since the department. 11th Century. The facade which appears before you is teeming with sculptures and details. This sumptuousness was designed to dazzle the visitor, whether they were Kings or local people, and continues to do so with 21st Century tourists. © B. Teissedre - Office de tourisme - Beauvais de - Office © B. Teissedre

Let the salamander guide Throughout this tour you The Episcopal district is at Vermeiren © Stéphane you and take a walk through will find explanatory panels the heart of Beauvais’ history. You have the choice of two tours. On 2000 years of the history of to enhance your visit. They The forum of the Roman leaving the MUDO, you can go directly Beauvais from the Gallo- are shown by this symbol city, which was founded in to point 9 by turning left. Walk up the full Roman ramparts through in the tour. On each sign, the 1st Century and known length of Rue du Musée and turn right at the Le Quadrilatère, without additional as Caesaromagus (Caesar’s end, until you reach the Cathedral gate. forgetting the cathedral, of information is market), was created in You can also discover the many and varied course. available using this district. It is also here features of the cathedral district by walking a smartphone. that the Count-Bishops of down Rue Saint-Pierre to the right. After Beauvais chose to locate 60m, turn left into Rue de l’Ecole de Chant. their power. 3 6 RUE DE L’ÉCOLE DE CHANT 9 CLOÎTRE DE LA CATHÉDRALE 11 STATUE OF JEAN RACINE At the end of this street, a blue half-timbered As you approach the cathedral, the Sculpted in 1937 by Eugène-Paul Benet, this house was once the home of the sculptor cloister is on your right. Combining a statue is the reminder that the playwright Rodin, who lived there with his uncle. variety of styles and materials (stone, timber Jean Racine studied at Beauvais School. frame and brick) it is one of the most 7 LE THÉRAIN picturesque in France and also one of the 12 THE ANCIENT RAMPARTS NEARBY... Since Gallo-Roman times, the course of the oldest, dating from the 11th Century. From the top of this rampart, you can AVENUE VICTOR-HUGO River Thérain has been deviated to enable contemplate 17 centuries of history! Follow the River Thérain, cross Boulevard human activity, whether to protect the city, This Gallo-Roman rampart is the oldest Amyot d’Inville then stroll along Avenue to provide clean water or for industrial monument in Beauvais. Victor-Hugo, a veritable museum of purposes, notably for the textile activities ceramics. Built between 1890 and 1910, that made the city so wealthy in the Middle After this immersion in the cathedral the houses that line the avenue are Ages. district head to the city centre, which also teeming with details – snails, thistles, has secrets to share with you. Three sunflowers – the works of the local 8 PUBLIC BATH HOUSE discovery tours of the city can be found ceramicist, Charles Gréber. Opened in 1921, this establishment allowed overleaf. the people of Beauvais who did not have a bathroom at home, to have a weekly “full wash”, generally on Saturdays before going 10 15TH CENTURY HOUSE out. It only closed in 1981. The surroundings of this house are an illustration of traditional Beauvais architecture. Most of Beauvais houses were timber frame and clay structures until the 20th Century.

Walk around the house and on its right, take the door that crosses the rampart. Opposite you will see Rue Nicolas-Pastour, which is also made up of ancient DID YOU KNOW? timber-frame houses. Turn right and follow has the highest the ramparts.. Gothic choir in the world The vaults of the Saint Pierre Cathedral, considered to be the “Parthenon of French architecture” by Viollet-le-Duc, soar to a height of some 48 metres. They are the highest in the history of Gothic art!

4 – Comdesimages.com OiseTourisme de Beauvais © Cathédrale 5 THE HISTORICAL CENTRE AND THE SAINT-ÉTIENNE CHURCH (1.2 km – 30 min)

We invite you to visit the historical centre 14 FONTAINE GRÉBER 16 PONT DE following three tours, each of which covers At the end of Rue de la Frette, the goddess Opened in 1951, this bridge was created with DID YOU KNOW? one part of it. Venus emerges from the waters at the very the reconstruction of the city centre after The salamander moment of her birth. This fountain, made in the Second World War. An exceptional work is the symbol of 1906, is the work of the Beauvaisian sculptor, of art for its period, this panoramic bridge Beauvais’ heritage. From the Tourist Office, take the Henri Gréber. combines the audacity of a curved format A mythical fire-dwelling animal but which pedestrian street to the right, with pre-stressed concrete. is immune to its effects, the salamander then take the first right into Rue de la 15 ÉGLISE SAINT-ÉTIENNE symbolises the of Beauvais, Taillerie. Cross the square until reaching Until 1789, Saint-Étienne was the Mid-way across the bridge, take the a city that has been destroyed many the information table to the right of the town church of the municipal power. Acting footbridge to the right. Continue times in its history but each time always hall. as a belfry, its bells would summon the local straight ahead then 60m later on your left, rises from the ashes. population. When he was elected, the city’s take the bridge towards the Ile 13 PLACE JEANNE-HACHETTE mayor would take his oath at the northern Saint-Symphorien. AND THE TOWN HALL door which stands before you, under the Since the 11th Century, this square round bay window of the 12th Century 17 ÎLE SAINT-SYMPHORIEN has been the centre of community life. , known as the “wheel of fortune”. The island was occupied from the Middle The town hall with its 18th Century facade Ages by a number of mills, destroyed by the reflects Beauvais’ success, when it was war in 1940. Today the island has become a renowned throughout Europe for the park, where it is possible to enjoy a pleasant tapestries from its royal manufactory. stroll along the banks of the Thérain. At the centre of the square stands the statue of Jeanne Hachette, heroine of Beauvais Walk up the right hand side of the

since the of 1472, her bravery inspiring island. At the Fernand Watteeuw tourisme - Beauvais de - Office © B. Teissedre Beauvais’ citizens to push back the square, turn left in the direction of the level EXTEND YOUR VISIT, WITH THE FLOOR Burgundians. crossing. A few metres before the level TILES IN JEANNE-HACHETTE SQUARE crossing, on the right, enter into the square Tiles with the symbols of Beauvais’ On your right, 20 metres behind, you of the Boileau tower. heritage have been incorporated into can find Rue de la Frette, at the end the paving stones of the square and of which can be seen the Greber Fountain. 18 TOUR BOILEAU pay tribute to the Beauvais tile The vestiges of medieval fortifications manufactories of the late 19th and placed outside of the ramparts, the early 20th Centuries, including tower defended the city against artillery Colozier and Boulenger. Each pattern cannons that could be located on Saint-Jean represents an element of the heritage hill, which lies just 150 metres from the of Beauvais and is explained on the Thérain base of the state of Jeanne Hachette.

6 7 RUE THE WALK DU 27 JUIN TO SCHOOL (600 m – 20 min) (1.6 km – 45 min)

From the Tourist Office, take the 22 ESPACE CULTUREL At the end of Rue du 27 Juin, climb the 26 BOULEVARD SAINT-ANDRÉ pedestrian street to the right until you FRANCOIS-MITTERRAND stairs to your left, then cross the Place On your left, observe the houses that line the reach the fountain. Walk up the shopping This imposing stone façade from the des Maréchaux until the Lycée Félix-Faure boulevard. Built in the early 20th Century, street on your left until the Post Office. You 18th Century was a hospice for more (Félix-Faure high school). they are decorated with architectural will find an explanatory panel on the side of than 300 years, where orphans, the elders ceramics, a tradition in Beauvais, produced the building in Rue Gambetta. and homeless people were secluded, on the 24 LYCÉE FÉLIX-FAURE by the Gréber manufactory. margins of society. From the Middle Ages to the 19 THE POST OFFICE 20th Century, education has been very After the shopping centre, turn right Dominating the main shopping street, 23 PORTE DE present in Beauvais, with famous alumni towards the cathedral and carry on the post office is an example of the ET LE PONT DU JEU DE PAUME including Jean Racine and Félix Faure. until you reach the intersection of Rue regional architecture of Beauvais in the One of the gateways to the city occupied this The city still has high schools of monumental Jeanne d’Arc and Rue Jacques de 1920-1930s. location, the Porte de Bresles, where Jeanne architecture, “school palaces” that are pay Guéhengnies. Hachette tore the standard of a Burgundian witness to the significant debates around 20 HÔTEL DU LION D’OR, soldier, on 27 June 1472. The bridge giving public education at the end of the 27 RUE JEANNE D’ARC No. 52 RUE GAMBETTA access to the gateway, which was found 19th Century. This street was created after the Second Formerly its name was “au lit on dort” during archaeological excavations, has been World War, during the reconstruction of the (in bed we sleep) and this building is a fine partially conserved in the Jeu de Paume 25 STATUES OF FRENCH MILITARY city, in order to offer a view of the cathedral. example of an 18th Century Town House. shopping centre. LEADERS Behind it is an attractive courtyard These four monumental statues represent 28 RUE VINCENT DE BEAUVAIS surrounded by timber framed houses. the military leaders Juin, De Lattre de Vincent de Beauvais was a 13th Century NEARBY... Tassigny, Koening and Leclerc monk, the author of an encyclopaedia MAISON GRÉBER 21 RUE DU 27 JUIN de Hautecloque, commemorating compiling the knowledge of the Middle Ages, Lined by timber-framed tiled-roof Just 500 the commanders of the armed forces during and a member of the Dominican monastery houses or brick houses with slate roofs, metres from the Second World War. This monument in Beauvais. this street is Rue du 27 juin, by the sculptor Charles Correia had been a catalogue in Rue de Calais, planned for Les Invalides in Paris. of the admire the facade historical of the Maison architecture Gréber. The last in Beauvais. remaining vestige of the Gréber ceramics manufactory, created in 1866, the facade is designed like an advertising hoarding, showing the catalogue of products made at the beginning of the 20th Century. It is occasionally used to host cultural events or when associations require it. 8 Comdesimages Tourisme © Beauvais-Oise 9 29 LYCÉE DES JACOBINS 31 RUE D’ALSACE The seven districts that surround Beauvais This centre of education was already in The houses in the street are some of the city centre also have their secrets. The main activity in the 17th Century, with nuns oldest in the city. Numbers 13, 15, 17, monuments are indicated by explanatory raising, educating and providing religious 19 and 21 date from the 16th Century and panels, including the Maison Gréber, 24 instruction to poor young girls. Today it has a large decorative frieze runs under the roof the churches of Notre-Dame de Marissel, become a public building, but the former of number 19. Notre-Dame-du-Thil, and Saint-Jacques, 21 25 8 20 23 convent is still an educational the former abbey of Saint-Symphorien, 22 7 establishment. 32 CHAPELLE SAINT-JOSEPH the Saint-Lucien Tower, the Prefecture The seat of the archconfraternity of of the Oise, the trimmings manufactory, 26 Saint Joseph since 1859, the decoration the Argentine water tower, 5 9 10 19 of this neo-gothic chapel is in line with its and the Maladrerie Saint-Lazare. 4 11 role, Saint Joseph dominating the facade 3 6 12 while the Holy Family surrounded by angels 2 27 is represented above the portal. 350 YEARS OF EXPERTISE… 1 THE NATIONAL TAPESTRY MANUFACTORY 33 RAILWAY STATION 28 Beauvais has been home to a tapestry At the end of the 19th Century, the manufactory since 1664. Created by Louis XIV, it is still in activity today and railway station was the main entrance 14 30 produces tapestries for the State each year. The manufactory is open all year round 29 to the city for tourists on holiday. 13 to groups and each summer individual visits are possible, but must be booked in Immediately upon leaving the train they advance. 30 PLACE DES HALLES could admire the newly-designed town with Information and booking on +33 (0) 44 15 30 30 In the square, walk along the a square facing the station and tree-lined 15 31 archway to the left. Near the boulevards encircling the city-centre, ideal

pedestrian crossing on the right, you will for Sunday strolls. 32 find an explanatory panel.

EXCEPTIONAL MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE... Despite its name, no hall exists on this THE MALADRERIE SAINT-LAZARE square, despite the fact that a market is held 16 there twice a week. In the 1940s, there had On the outskirts of the city, the Lazaret been plans to rebuild the hall, as it had been consists of three exceptional buildings on 18 before the Second World War. But the project one site, dating from the 12th and 13th Centuries, 33 17 never came to fruition in the immediate and a garden of medieval inspiration which is post-war period. pleasant to stroll around. This former hospital from the Middle Ages today plays host to cultural PARCOURS events, concerts, street arts and exhibitions. — The Cathedral district Information on +33 (0) 44 15 67 62 or maladrerie.fr — The historical centre and the Saint-Étienne church — Rue du 27 juin — The walk to school 10 12