This area has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age, as revealed by findings during archaeological excavations. People settled on the top of the slope of the valley, for the safety of the overhang and nearby water.
The existence of a castle in Glisy has been officially confirmed. It served as a refuge for villagers during invasions. In 1636, the village was burnt down by the Spanish during the siege of Amiens. It was then rebuilt 800m further east, below the church as it stands today. Two centuries later, the church and buildings on the slope were destroyed then rebuilt at their current location to make way for the Amiens-Laon railway line which opened in 1867.
The last upheaval was in the 20th century, during WWI. The German army requisitioned Glisy airfield, as well as the village emptied of its inhabitants, in 1941 to turn it into a Luftwaffe air base. Both were bombed repeatedly by the Royal Air Force, causing extensive damage to many houses. The village was liberated in August 1944 by British troops, but it could not be inhabited again until 1945.
MAP SHOWING THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF GLISY VILLAGE
Village until the 17th century
Village until the 19th century
Current Village
Former Cemetery
Feudal Mound
The village’s changing location throughout the centuries
MARSHLAND KID
Ch'tresor (The Treasure)
"One day, our teacher told us the story of Glisy's treasure. No, it’s not a joke! He told us about this treasure trove containing 559 coins (*), buried over a thousand years ago, which was found here in the marsh in 1865. The funniest bit was that it was a mole that brought the first coin up, leading to the discovery of the treasure. So, at the end of the class, we went down to the marsh with my friends to look for other coins. We dug all over the place, but never found anything. Some of my mates still reckon there are some left. I think the most beautiful treasure is our marsh with its nature, its animals and its flowers! "
(*) Money from the Carolingian period circa 9th century CE, some of which is on display at the Picardy Museum, Amiens.