Amiens, the belle of the North

The hortillonnages and Amiens Cathedral

Near the town centre, 300 hectares of marshland are divided into gardens by canals. These are the Amiens hortillonnages. You can get around in a flat-bottomed boat. Every week, market gardeners from the hortillonnages gather at the Port d'Amont, at the foot of the impressive Amiens cathedral, for the water market.

Built between 1220 and 1288, it is one of the largest Gothic buildings ever erected. Its statuary, as remarkable as its architecture, has given rise to sound and light shows that restore the medieval colours of the portals through the magic of light.

A city of art and history

Amiens boasts an impressive cultural heritage. Built between 1855 and 1867, the Musée de Picardie traces the history of art and technology from the Palaeolithic to the 21st century.

Take a stroll through the Saint-Leu district, the oldest part of Amiens. Historically, it was the city's poorest quarter, where tanners, butchers and dyers gathered. Today, art galleries, bookshops, boutiques and antique dealers share the narrow, colourful houses that have been given a new lease of life. This is also the student quarter and the heart of Amiens' nightlife, with its many bars and restaurants.

Don't miss the Amiens International Film Festival and the International Jazz Festival in November, as well as the Comic Strip Festival in early June.

Jules Verne lived in Amiens from 1882 until his death in 1900. Today, you can visit his house, which combines the imagination and everyday life of the famous writer. A true place of memory, the Maison à la Tour invites visitors to daydream and discover the writer's private life through more than 700 objects and heritage documents.

Amiens for sport!

Thanks in particular to its student population, Amiens has already been awarded the title of "Most Sporting Town" by the newspaper L'Equipe. Its high-quality sports facilities enable the town to offer a multitude of activities and leisure pursuits to residents and visitors alike.

An18-hole golf course just 15 minutes from the town centre, bike hire, discovery of the Australian battlefield of Le Hamel by horse-drawn carriage, first flights in hang-gliders, introduction to canoeing and kayaking, river trips, horse-riding, first flights in helicopters, microlights, aeroplanes and gliders are just some of the activities that Amiens has to offer.

Amiens is a major town in the Hauts-de-France region, with a peaceful atmosphere that will delight young and old alike. Plan a weekend there to tour the monuments and enjoy the city's atmosphere.

🚌 How do I get to Amiens?

• Amiens is around two hours from Paris by car via the A16.
• Thanks to its TGV station, the town is also easily reached by train from the rest of France.
• The nearest airport is Beauvais-Tillé.

🍴 What to eat in Amiens?

Don't try to resist, succumb to the delights of local specialities such as the macaron d'Amiens, whose creation dates back to the 16th century. This delicacy is made from Valencias almonds, honey and bitter almonds. You can enjoy delicious macaroons at the Les Spécialités de Quesnoy-le-Montant patisserie in Amiens town centre.

The recipe for Amiens duck pâté was created in 1643, and is traditionally made from a whole duck, stuffed and baked in a pastry shell. Don't forget to try the ficelle picarde: a delicious pancake, ham, mushrooms, shallots and cream! Les Bouchées Doubles restaurant serves these typical Amiens specialities, as well as other emblematic dishes from the Hauts-de-France region.

👉 What can you take home from Amiens?

It would be a shame to go home without a little souvenir! On the food front, you can take home some cider or rabote, a delicious apple and cinnamon dessert. For children, seal cuddly toys from the Baie de Somme, which can be found at the Nausicaà aquarium. For older children, lace and porcelain.

• The city ofAmiens has thought of visitors with disabilities and developed infrastructures to make it easier for them to access activities, transport, accommodation and restaurants.
• Amiens Tourist Office offers a range of themed weekends. You can discover the city through its waterways and hortillonnages, the local produce and gastronomy of the Picardy region, Amiens cathedral, a relaxing programme or a range of activities specially designed for children.
• To get the most out of Amiens, it's best to visit in spring and summer: the climate changes radically with the seasons.
• Avoid the city centre in the evening, as it is deserted and unsafe, and you could meet the wrong people. The Saint-Leu district is more lively and pleasant after dark.