Amiens travel guide: what to do and what to see among its attractions
About halfway between Paris and the Belgian border, in the heart of Picardy, lies the beautiful town of Amiens, a regional capital with a Nordic flavour and exquisitely human, timeless rhythms.
The intricate maze of canals that cross it and the typical climate of northern France help to give it that fairy-tale air that distinguishes it, with the cold colours of a silvery sky that are reflected in the slow waters of the city’s rivers, and with winters that are often harsh and snowy.
In January, the coldest month, average temperatures fluctuate between a minimum of 0°C and a maximum of 5°C, and even rain is concentrated mainly in the winter months, although it often occurs throughout the year.
In summer, conditions are certainly more hospitable: in July and August, temperatures are high but pleasant, often made mild by a cool breeze, and average temperatures vary between 12°C and 22°C.
The Notre Dame Cathedral: the Gothic masterpiece of Amiens
In summer or winter, with clear skies or heavy rain, the most precious pearl of Amiens is undoubtedly the splendid Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame.
The 13th-century construction is the largest religious building in France, with an exceptional grandeur compared to the usual expressions of the Gothic, with spectacular portals that make the entrance irresistible and with a surprising choir composed of 110 precious wooden stalls.
Guardian of the head of Saint John the Baptist, the Cathedral of Amiens was registered in 1981 among the sites of the World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The Saint Paul district and the museums of Amiens
The Saint Paul district, a concentration of hotels, clubs, and refined restaurants, is the hub of life in Amiens, around which the charming historic center of the city develops.
Here are some of the most important museums, including:
- The Museum of Picardy, which houses the best creations of local painting and sculpture.
- The Museum of Local Art.
- The Museum of Regional History.
Since 2006, the Museum of Picardy has also become the former home of the famous writer Jules Verne.
It was Jules Verne, whose tomb is located in the city cemetery, who inaugurated the Municipal Circus in 1889. It is a 16-sided polygonal construction, designed by Emile Ricquier, a student of Gustav Eiffel, created on the occasion of the centenary of the French Revolution as the venue for the festivities of Saint John.
Modern architecture in Amiens: the Perret Tower
Also worth seeing is a fine example of modern architecture, the Perret Tower, which takes its name from its creator and is included among the tallest skyscrapers in Europe.
Destroyed in 1944 by a tragic bombing, the tower was completely rebuilt between 1948 and 1954, with its thirty floors and a height of 110 metres.
The Hortillonages: a green oasis in the city
Finally, you cannot take a tour of Amiens without being captivated by the beautiful Hortillonages, a dense network of canals and gardens that extend over approximately 300 hectares in the heart of the city.
With small flat-bottomed boats, you can glide along the placid waters of the canals, setting sail, for example, from the Port d’Amont, a splendid little port at the foot of the Cathedral that hosts the evocative Water Market every week.
Cultural events in Amiens
Among the major cultural events held in the city, we should mention:
- The Festival International du Film d’Amiens, a film festival inaugurated in 1980 and repeated every year in November for about a week.
- The Festival International du Jazz, which in March, for four days, invades the streets and canals of Amiens with its cheerful and atmospheric music.
- In summer, the Gothic Cathedral is illuminated by a show of lights and colors.
How to reach Amiens
To reach Amiens, you can rely on the Aeroport d’Amiens-Glisy, just 10 km from the city center, or on two train stations:
- The Gare d’Amiens, the main station, also called Gare du Nord.
- The Gare Saint-Roche.
Both are located along the Paris-Boulogne and Amiens-Rouen lines.
A third station, Gare TGV Haute Picardie, 45 km from the city, provides TGV services and is served by special shuttles from Amiens.
Photo Wikipedia, courtesy: Emmanuel Legrand, Eusebius, Arnaudus.
