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Amiens

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City
PlizioGo—°10177
Amiens (France)
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Practical info — Amiens

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Amiens Cathedral in the late afternoon to see the sunlight illuminating the stained glass windows, and don't miss the summer evening light shows.
  • Book a guided boat tour through the Hortillonnages (floating gardens) early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds.
  • Parking near the city center can be tricky; use the Park & Ride (Relais) facilities on the outskirts and take the bus in.
  • When strolling through the Saint-Leu district, take note of the colorful, traditional houses along the canals.

🍽 Food

🍽
Ficelle picarde

A savory baked crepe filled with ham, mushrooms, and shallots. Find it in traditional brasseries in the Saint-Leu district.

🍽
Macarons d'Amiens

Almond-based, soft, and biscuit-like local sweets. Look for them in historic confectioneries near the cathedral.

🍽
Gâteau battu

A rich, airy brioche-like cake specific to the Picardy region, often found in local bakeries.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Marché sur l'eau

Local farmers selling vegetables from the Hortillonnages. Head to Place Parmentier on a Saturday morning to catch the tradition.

🛍
Rue des Trois Cailloux

The primary pedestrian street in the city center, well-suited for browsing local boutiques and national chains.

🧘
Parc de la Hotoie

The oldest park in Amiens, featuring wide lawns, a lake, and plenty of space for a relaxing afternoon stroll.

🧘
Somme towpaths

Walk or cycle along the quiet riverside paths just outside the immediate center to enjoy the water and greenery at your own pace.

Highlights of 2026

10

Amiens, the historic capital of Picardy, is located on the Somme River in northern France and is globally renowned for its monumental Gothic architecture. Its most significant landmark is the Amiens Cathedral, the largest cathedral in France and a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its harmonious structure and intricate sculptures. A unique geographical feature is the Hortillonnages, a 300-hectare labyrinth of canals and floating gardens that have been used for vegetable farming since the Middle Ages. The city was also the longtime home of the famous writer Jules Verne, whose house is now open to the public as a museum. In the Saint-Leu district, the oldest part of the city, colorful houses along the riverbanks and small canals define the pretty townscape. During the World Wars, Amiens was near the front lines and suffered heavy damage, but it has been meticulously restored. Today, the city is an important administrative hub and a popular destination for cultural tourism in the north.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C336913161817151174
Rain mm635756426559657351677478

Live webcam – Amiens

See what it looks like near Amiens right now.

Amiens: Tour Perret · 0.9 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
143,086
Coordinates
49.89410, 2.29500

Facts

  • Largest Gothic cathedral in France
  • UNESCO World Heritage since 1981
  • Hortillonnages (floating gardens)
  • Home of writer Jules Verne
  • Saint-Leu district on the Somme
  • Cathedral volume is 200,000 m³

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Amiens-NordAmiens-Nord2 km · NExplore →
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📍Corbie15 km · EExplore →
📍Albert28 km · NEExplore →
📍Doullens29 km · NExplore →
📍Montdidier34 km · SEExplore →
📍Abbeville40 km · NWExplore →
📍Roye42 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Amiens (17)

Amiens Cathedral⛪ religious

The largest Gothic cathedral in France, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its striking facade and immense interior volume.

♿

Les Hortillonnages🌿 nature

Striking floating gardens covering 300 hectares, where canals can be explored by traditional flat-bottomed boats.

Jules Verne's House🏛 museum

The former home of the legendary visionary writer, now a museum dedicated to his life and extraordinary literary works.

Musée de Picardie🏛 museum

Regarded as one of France's finest regional museums, it is housed in a purpose-built 19th-century palace.

Belfry of Amiens🏺 historical

A medieval belfry that served as the city's watchtower and town hall, today part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Zoo d'Amiens🎡 recreation

Opened in 1952, this zoo in the Hotoie district features over 400 animals in a lush, water-filled natural setting.

Parc Saint-Pierre🌿 nature

A large, modern urban park located between the city center and the Hortillonnages, known for its vast lawns and ponds.

Tour Perret🏙 civic

An iconic 110-meter tall residential tower made of reinforced concrete, built after WWII as a symbol of the city's reconstruction.

Église Saint-Germain-l'Écossais⛪ religious

A 15th-century late Gothic church that has preserved its characteristic leaning tower despite the heavy destruction of the wars.

Citadelle d'Amiens🛡️ fortress

A fortress built in the 16th century under Henry IV, which now serves as a modern university campus within historic ramparts.

Cimetière de la Madeleine🏺 historical

A romantic landscaped cemetery housing the grave of the famous writer Jules Verne, featuring a striking Resurrection-themed sculpture.

Logis du Roi🏺 historical

An elegant 16th-century brick building that once served as a residence for the governors of Picardy and the visiting king.

Cirque Jules Verne🎭 culture

An impressive permanent circus building from 1889, inaugurated by Jules Verne, with a capacity for 1,600 spectators.

Église Saint-Maurice d'Amiens⛪ religious

Saint-Maurice Church in Amiens is a Gothic building that characterizes the historic district. It houses valuable religious artworks and is a significant local heritage site.

Square Saint-Denis🌳 park

Square Saint-Denis is a well-kept public garden near Amiens city center. It gives benches under old trees and statues of local celebrities for those seeking relaxation.

Parc de l'Evêché🌳 park

Parc de l'Evêché is located right in the shadow of the famous Amiens Cathedral. This peaceful garden features a unique view of the cathedral's Gothic architecture.

Maison de la Culture🎭 culture

The Maison de la Culture in Amiens is an important center for contemporary art and performances. It features a diverse program ranging from theater to dance.

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Frequently asked questions

What is special about the Amiens Cathedral?
It is the largest Gothic cathedral in France by interior volume and is twice the size of Notre-Dame in Paris.
Who is the most famous citizen of Amiens?
Jules Verne lived in Amiens for many years. His former home is now a museum that provides insights into his work.
What are the 'Hortillonnages'?
They are floating gardens on a 300-hectare marshland area that can be explored by traditional boats.
Is there a Christmas market in Amiens?
Yes, Amiens hosts the largest Christmas market in Northern France, with over 130 chalets in the city center.
How long is the train ride from Paris to Amiens?
From Gare du Nord in Paris, you can reach Amiens in about 1 hour and 15 minutes by regional train (TER).
Amiens: where is it located?
Amiens is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Amiens: what is there to see?
Highlights include Amiens Cathedral, Les Hortillonnages, Jules Verne's House.
Amiens: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Amiens: why is it worth visiting?
Amiens, the historic capital of Picardy, is located on the Somme River in northern France and is globally renowned for its monumental Gothic architecture.
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