Amiens attracts tourists with beautiful views – a wonderful panorama of the city and monuments: the 13th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, which is also the largest in France, and Gothic churches. In the northern part of the city there is the historic medieval district of Saint-Leu, which is called the Little Venice of the North. The figure of Jules Verne, a famous writer and traveler, is associated with Amiens. In this city, the writer created his most famous novel “Around the World in 80 Days”, which was adapted into films in 1989 and 2004. The city also remembers the times of World War I (Battle of Amiens, August 8–13, 1918)
Amiens is a picturesque city located on the Somme River in northern France, in the Hauts-de-France region.
1. Catedral Notre Dame
Amiens Cathedral – Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady in Amiens. It is a monument on the UNESCO World Heritage List, dating back to the 13th century. The beautiful Gothic-style building delights tourists from all over the world and is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. It measures as much as 145 meters, and the height of its stone vault based on 126 pillars is 42.3 meters. The entire area of the cathedral is 7,700 square meters, making it the largest church in France.
2. Les Hortillonnages: Visit to the Amiens hortillonnages by cornet boat
Hortillonnages d’Amiens: 65 km of canals and floating gardens in Amiens in Hauts-de-France. A few hundred meters from the Gothic cathedral, the hortillonnages of Amiens are a set of a few hundred floating gardens on a maze of 65 km of canals, in the heart of the Amiens city. It is one of the most visited sites in Amiens.
These are the so-called floating gardens favored by canals, which is why this place is called the Venice of the North. Its streams, which are pleasant to navigate by boat, wind from marshes to gardens, revealing wonderful vegetable gardens, orchards, but also pretty cottages and gardeners’ cottages.
3. Jules Verne’s House
The house where Jules Verne lived from 1882 to 1900, now a museum, offers a space where the imagination and everyday life of the famous writer mingle. From the winter garden to the attic – discover the authentic atmosphere of a private residence with 19th-century furniture and relive the adventures of Jules Verne’s heroes. A true place of memory, Maison à la Tour invites you to dream and discover the writer’s intimacy through over 700 objects and documents of cultural heritage.
4. Jules Verne’s Circus
The Cirque Jules Verne is a cultural place dedicated to circus arts and public space. As a National Center for Circus and Street Arts, the Circus welcomes many companies for its circus season, for its festival La Rue est à Amiens and for its regional program Confluences Nomades. The Cirque Jules Verne is located in the Amiens winter circus, which the architect Émile Ricquier designed entirely to accommodate the circus on the ring and on horseback. Although resolutely contemporary, the Cirque Jules Verne has for several years included in its programming proposals of contemporary equestrian circus.
5. Picardy Museum
Since its opening in 1867, the Musée de Picardie in Amiens has been considered one of the greatest museums in France. Designed after the Louvre Napoleon III, it collects and presents rich collections of archaeology, sculpture, art objects and paintings, inviting visitors on a journey from the Paleolithic to the present day. This is also worth seeing temporary exhibitions.
6.Tour Perret
Tour Perret is a 29-story, 110 m (360 ft) high residential tower in Amiens. It has been described as the first skyscraper in France and was registered as a historic monument in 1975. A majestic building that is a landmark of the city.
7. Saint-Leu district
Historic district with narrow, small colorful houses, cut through branches of the Somme, the district of Saint-Leu, appeared in the Middle Ages. In those days, water and mills provided the energy necessary for the work of weavers, dyers, tanners and millers. Since the renovation of the former workers’ houses, designer boutiques, market stalls, antique shops and antique shops have opened in the heart of the city. The district is eagerly visited by locals and tourists.
8. Samara Archaeological and Prehistoric Park
In the heart of a 30-hectare natural area, you will literally reconnect with your origins thanks to a playful and educational presentation of the archaeological work carried out since the 19th century. A team of passionate cultural mediators share with you their concrete and authentic vision of the evolution of Man through the ages by retracing the history of the gestures and techniques of our prehistoric ancestors.
For your greatest pleasure, whether you are young or old, Samara is not only that! It is also events at different times of the year, the promise of beautiful walks in the preserved surroundings of the park, a place for picnics and relaxation on the banks of the Somme, a stopover point with sweets and refreshments ideal for comforting yourself after the effort!
9. Traditional Marionette And Puppet Theater
A rod and string puppet (‘cabotans’) theatre featuring little actors made of wood and fabric, the heirs of a two-century old Amiens tradition, and a municipal collection of 204 puppets. Living heritage with performances for young and old! Exhibition visit. An authentic puppet theatre in the Saint Leu district that stages Ch’Lafleur, a dreamer and real moaner, and his mate Tchiot Blaise, 2 figures from the heritage of Amiens. Plays for all (from 5 years old) year round and exhibition (free entry) to discover the collection.
10. The Remembrance Trail
Travel back in time to pay homage to the enduring legacy of the Great War while exploring the historic Somme Battlefields. Follow the Remembrance Trail, a poignant journey of reflection and remembrance.
The Remembrance Trail is an itinerary built to link the important landmarks of the Somme Battlefields. It goes from the town of Albert to Péronne and honors the memory of all the brave men from all over the world, who gave their life on the “war to end all wars”.
11. Zoo Amiens Métropole
Take the whole family to this wonderful zoo. In a 7-hectare green park near the city center of Amiens, the Amiens Métropole Zoo showcases 500 animals from around the world and is very committed to the conservation of endangered species such as the brown-headed atele (monkey) and the red panda. From 2020, the park has a new zone, “Archipels and Shores”, where Sumatran tigers live.
