Amiens – The Gothic Jewel of Picardy

In the heart of northern France lies Amiens, a city that merges water, stone, and greenery in remarkable harmony. Too often overlooked in favor of Paris or Lille, Amiens offers a slower rhythm without sacrificing cultural depth. Known as La Petite Venise du Nord — the Little Venice of the North — Amiens captivates visitors with its canalside lanes, its celebrated cathedral, and its ties to one of the most visionary writers in French literature, Jules Verne.

Situated on the River Somme, about 120 km north of Paris, Amiens is a natural meeting point between past and present. Here, a UNESCO-listed cathedral towers over modern shops and lively student cafés. Red-brick houses line waterways where flat-bottomed boats glide to gardens cultivated since medieval times.

Amiens is compact, yet its neighborhoods have distinct personalities. Understanding its geography will help you design an efficient itinerary and discover its hidden corners.

Amiens Train Station (Gare d’Amiens)

• Address: Place Alphonse Fiquet, 80000 Amiens
• Direct trains from Paris Gare du Nord take 1h–1h15.
• The station plaza contains taxis, bus stops, and rental car offices.
• The Tour Perret, a post-war modernist tower, serves as a visual landmark if you’re finding your way back.

The Pedestrian Core

• Rue des Trois Cailloux is Amiens’ main shopping street.
• Lined with boutiques, cafés, and bakeries, it runs straight from the station area to the cathedral quarter.
• Evening lighting makes it pleasant for strolls after dinner.

Place Gambetta

• Address: Place Gambetta, 80000 Amiens
• A lively square surrounded by restaurants and department stores.
• Excellent for people-watching and a central meeting point for tours.

Place Notre-Dame & Cathedral Forecourt

• Address: Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens
• This open square fronts the cathedral and hosts seasonal markets.
• A hub for guided tours and access to the Tourist Office.

Saint-Leu District

• A medieval neighborhood of timber-framed houses along the canals.
• Rue des Bondes and Quai Bélu are packed with restaurants and bars.
• Best explored on foot or by bicycle.

Parc Saint-Pierre

• Address: Avenue du Général Foy, 80000 Amiens
• A 22-hectare park ideal for walking, jogging, or cycling.
• Bridges and canals lead directly toward the Hortillonnages floating gardens.

Boulevard Intérieur Ring

• A semicircular boulevard around the historic center.
• Landmarks such as Cirque Jules Verne and Musée de Picardie sit along this route.
• Convenient orientation line for drivers or cyclists.

Parking & Driving

• Major parking garages at Place Alphonse Fiquet, Place Gambetta, and near Boulevard du Cange.
• Much of central Amiens is pedestrian-only, so park once and walk.

Amiens Tourist Office

• Address: 23 Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens
• Provides maps, event schedules, and multilingual guides.
• Staff can arrange battlefield tours or cathedral tower climbs.

Suggested Walking Itinerary (Half Day)

• Start at Gare d’Amiens.
• Walk Rue des Trois Cailloux → Place Gambetta → Place Notre-Dame.
• Visit the cathedral interior and climb the tower.
• Continue to Saint-Leu district for lunch.
• Return via Parc Saint-Pierre for a relaxing green detour.

General Information

• Address: Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens
• Open daily; hours vary by season (typically 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.).
• No entry fee for the main nave, small fee for tower climbs and guided tours.

Architectural Significance

• The largest cathedral in France by interior volume (200,000 m³).
• High Gothic style built 1220–1270, with later Renaissance details in the chapels.

Tower Climb

• Offers panoramic views over Amiens and the Somme Valley.
• Tickets available at the entrance; about 300 steps to the top.

Chœur Stalls & Sculptures

• 16th-century wooden stalls carved with over 4,000 figures.
• Scenes depict biblical stories and daily life in Renaissance Amiens.

West Façade

• Decorated with 750 statues — kings, saints, angels.
• The three portals narrate Christ’s life and Last Judgment.

Labyrinth Floor

• Black-and-white labyrinth tracing pilgrim paths to Jerusalem.
• Restored to its original pattern in the 19th century.

Son et Lumière (Chroma Light Show)

• Summer and December evenings, projecting original medieval colors on the façade.
• Free event, draws large crowds — arrive early for good viewing spots.

Relic of St. John the Baptist

• A reliquary said to contain John the Baptist’s head, brought to Amiens in 1206.
• Displayed in the northern transept chapel.

Guided Tours

• Available via Tourist Office or cathedral guides.
• Specialized themes: architecture, stained glass, or medieval sculpture.

Nearby Cafés

• Le Quai (1 Rue des Bondes) for riverside coffee.
• Café Pinocchio (22 Rue des Bondes) with cathedral views.

Maison de Jules Verne

• Address: 2 Rue Charles Dubois, 80000 Amiens
• 19th-century townhouse where Verne lived 1882–1900.
• Exhibits manuscripts, travel memorabilia, and personal belongings.

Cirque Jules Verne

• Address: Place Longueville, 80000 Amiens
• 1889 circus building designed while Verne was city councillor.
• Now hosts performances, exhibitions, and festivals.

Jules Verne Statue

• Address: Boulevard Jules Verne, near station
• Bronze sculpture commemorating the writer’s ties to Amiens.

Guided Literary Walks

• Offered by Tourist Office, tracing Verne’s favorite cafés and homes.
• Covers Boulevard Guyencourt and Rue Lamarck.

Bibliothèque Louis Aragon

• Address: 50 Rue de la République
• Houses rare Verne publications and archives.

Themed Events

• “Amiens Fête Jules Verne” annual festival featuring lectures and performances.
• Typically held in spring — check Tourist Office schedule.

Les Petits Plaisirs Bookshop

• Address: 16 Rue des Trois Cailloux
• Specializes in French literature, often stocks Verne editions.

Le Tertre Café

• Verne’s reputed hangout, near Place Gambetta.
• Historic interiors preserved.

Street Names & Murals

• Murals along Rue Jules Barni depict scenes from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
• Plaques mark Verne’s residences.

Verne’s Tomb in Madeleine Cemetery

• Address: Cemetery Madeleine, Rue Saint-Maurice
• Tomb shows Verne emerging from the grave, symbolizing immortality of his imagination.

General Overview

• 300 hectares of marsh islands crisscrossed by canals.
• Cultivated for vegetables and flowers for over 800 years.

Boat Tours (Barques à Cornet)

• Depart from 54 Boulevard Beauvillé, 80000 Amiens.
• Flat-bottom boats guided by locals — 45-minute tours.

Self-Guided Access

• Walking and cycling paths through Parc Saint-Pierre to edge of gardens.
• Limited spots open for walking without boats.

Seasonal Changes

• Spring: flower blooms.
• Summer: lush vegetable plots.
• Autumn: golden marsh grasses.

Photography Spots

• Wooden footbridges near Rue Voyelle provide canal views.
• Early morning light is best for misty shots.

Marché sur l’Eau (Water Market)

• Saturdays in summer at Place Parmentier.
• Farmers sell produce directly from traditional boats.

Environmental Education Center

• Maison des Hortillonnages at 54 Boulevard Beauvillé.
• Explains ecology, wildlife, and conservation efforts.

Wildlife Watching

• Ducks, swans, kingfishers, and herons common.
• Binoculars recommended for bird enthusiasts.

Annual Art Festival

• “Art, villes & paysage” exhibits installations on the islands.
• Accessible by boat, blending nature and modern art.

Nearby Refreshments

• Brasserie Quai Bélu (Quai Bélu) after your boat ride.
• Le Bar à Huîtres for seafood by the river.

Musée de Picardie

• Address: 48 Rue de la République, 80000 Amiens
• Major regional museum, nicknamed “the Louvre of Picardy.”
• Collections: archaeology, medieval sculpture, Renaissance paintings, 19th-century art.

Musée de l’Hôtel de Berny

• Address: 36 Rue Victor Hugo
• Decorative arts museum with Picardy furniture, tapestries, ceramics.
• Set in a Renaissance townhouse.

Maison de la Culture d’Amiens

• Address: 2 Place Léon Gontier
• Hosts concerts, theater, and dance.
• Program includes international touring productions.

Musée de la Somme 1916 (Albert)

• Address: Rue Anicet Godin, 80300 Albert (30 min from Amiens)
• Underground WWI museum with immersive displays.

Citadel of Amiens

• Address: Rue des Francs Mûriers
• 16th-century fort redesigned by Vauban.
• Now part of University of Picardy; courtyard open to visitors.

Cirque Jules Verne

• Address: Place Longueville
• Cultural venue with circus arts, concerts, exhibitions.

Maison du Théâtre

• Address: 12 Rue Frédéric Petit
• Focuses on contemporary and experimental performances.

Archives Départementales de la Somme

• Address: 61 Rue Saint-Fuscien
• Free exhibitions on regional history and heritage.

Espace Camille Claudel

• Small gallery celebrating works of the sculptor Camille Claudel.
• Rotating sculpture displays.

Street Art Murals

• Around Saint-Leu district and Rue Lamarck.
• Amiens supports public art festivals adding modern color to historic walls.

Ficelle Picarde

• Savory crêpe with ham, mushrooms, and cream, baked until golden.
• Found at restaurants like Le Quai Bélu.

Macarons d’Amiens

• Soft almond pastries, local specialty.
• Buy at Jean Trogneux, 1 Rue Delambre.

Duck Pâté en Croûte

• Rich Picardy game dish, best at traditional bistros like Le Marott’Street.

Beers of Picardy

• Microbreweries like La Choulette produce artisanal ales.
• Bars near Quai Bélu often carry local brews.

Marché des Halles du Beffroi

• Address: Place Maurice Vast
• Indoor market for cheese, charcuterie, and fresh produce.

Fine Dining

• L’Aubergade (Rue Sire Firmin Leroux) for refined regional cuisine.
• Reservation recommended.

Budget Eats

• Sandwiches, crêpes, and falafel around Place Gambetta.
• La Mie Câline for quick snacks.

Cafés with a View

• Café des Beaux-Arts (Rue Flatters) faces the cathedral.
• Ideal for morning coffee before sightseeing.

Food Festivals

• Autumn harvest festivals featuring Hortillonnages vegetables.
• Regional cheese tastings in spring events.

Cooking Workshops

• Offered by local chefs at L’Atelier Gourmand.
• Learn to prepare Ficelle Picarde or French pastry classics.

Quai Bélu Bars

• Amiens’ main nightlife strip along the Somme canals.
• Popular spots: Le Bercail, Au Fil de l’Eau.

Wine Bars

• Le Wine Bar d’Amiens (Rue des Jacobins) serves Picardy vintages and charcuterie boards.

Craft Beer Pubs

• Au Fût et à Mesure for self-service beer taps.
• Great for groups.

Jazz Clubs

• Blue Note Café (Rue des Sergents) has weekly jazz nights.

Late-Night Cafés

• Saint-Leu district cafés stay open until midnight in summer.

Theater Evenings

• Maison de la Culture and Maison du Théâtre often schedule shows after 8 p.m.

Cinemas

• Gaumont Amiens (Rue Léon Blum) shows French and international films.

Summer Riverside Events

• Pop-up open-air bars and concerts along Quai Bélu.

Christmas Markets by Night

• Amiens’ market glows with lights and mulled wine stalls in December evenings.

Quiet Alternatives

• Evening walks through Parc Saint-Pierre for a calmer atmosphere.
• Cathedral square beautifully illuminated at night.

Walking

• Most attractions are within a 1 km radius.
• Good sidewalks and pedestrian zones.

Cycling

• Bike rentals at Vélam Stations throughout the city.
• Parc Saint-Pierre and canals have scenic cycling routes.

Local Bus Network (Ametis)

• Tickets: buy at kiosks or on board.
• Main hub near Gare d’Amiens.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing

• Taxi stands at station and Place Gambetta.
• Uber available in Amiens.

Tourist Train

• Seasonal mini-train departing from Place Notre-Dame.
• Offers narrated city overview.

Parking Garages

• Major facilities at Place Alphonse Fiquet and Place Gambetta.

Railway to Surrounding Towns

• Direct trains to Albert, Arras, and Paris.
• Regional TER tickets inexpensive if booked early.

Car Rentals

• Available at the station (Avis, Hertz, Europcar).
• Useful for Somme battlefield day trips.

Canal Boat Rentals

• Private boats can be hired for leisurely rides in Saint-Leu or Hortillonnages.

Accessibility

• Cathedral forecourt and museums mostly wheelchair accessible.
• Some old streets in Saint-Leu are cobbled, requiring extra caution.

Amiens is far more than just a stopover between Paris and the northern coast. This city combines stunning Gothic architecture, tranquil waterways, a rich literary legacy, and poignant wartime history — all within a compact, walkable center. From the soaring spires of Amiens Cathedral to the quiet boat rides through the Hortillonnages floating gardens, every corner offers a mix of heritage and charm.

Food lovers will savor local specialties such as Ficelle Picarde and Macarons d’Amiens, while history enthusiasts will find depth in its WWI sites and Jules Verne’s home. Whether you spend your evenings in lively riverside cafés or tracing light shows across the cathedral’s façade, Amiens provides a slower, more intimate rhythm than larger French cities — yet never feels sleepy or dull.