Amiens City Guide
Amiens combines the amenities of a modern town with the charm of its medieval past. The medieval quarter of the town in St Leu has recently been restored with it's winding network of canals and cobbled streets, and the town remains young at heart due to the university.
What to do and see in and around Amiens
Cathedral
The Cathedral dominates the town of Amiens, in fact it is the biggest Gothic building in France. The Cathedral was built in the 13th century, has recently been restored and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Look out for the tiled maze on the floor of the Cathedral.
St Leu Quarter
The St Leu quarter is north of Amiens cathedral, and was originally home to Amiens' textile industry. It consists of a network of canals, winding cobbled streets and cottages. The area has recently been restored and is now the fashionable heart of Amiens. Relax in one of the waterfront cafés, bars and restaurants.
Hortillonnages
The Hortillonnages are on the outskirts of Amiens and were originally market gardens which fed the town. The products were sold at a weekly market on the Quai Parmentier, which still takes place every Saturday morning. You can take a boat trip or walk around the hortillonnages which is now a nature reserve, although some plots are still used as gardens.
Jules Verne's House
The writer Jules Verne is Amiens' most famous resident. Jules Verne met his wife in Amiens and subsequently moved to Amiens in 1871 until his death in 1905. He is buried in Cimetière de la Madeleine in the town, the grave was designed by Albert-Dominique Roze and shows Jules Verne emerging from the tomb. There is a Jules Verne museum at 2 rue Dubois.
Musée de Picardie
The Musée de Picardie is south of Amiens centre. The building was built in the 19th century as an antiques museum, and now includes a collection of 17th to 19th century sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and paintings from the 14th to 20th century. The stars of the collection are a series of 16th century paintings on wood from Amiens Cathedral.
Hôtel de Berny
Hôtel de Berny is close to the Cathedral in the 17th century Hôtel des Trésoreries. The museum contains a collection of Louis XV and XVI antique furniture, a portrait of Choderlos de Laclos (author of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, who was born in Amiens), various other items including fans, tapestries and ceramics, and items from the local history of Amiens.
Abbeville
40 minutes from Amiens by train
Abbeville is a beautiful town also on the banks of the River Somme. Abbeville was badly bombed during World War II but is now being restored to its former glory. The train station is an ornate example of Flemish architecture, and the Church of St Vulfran dates back to 1488 and rivals Cathedral at Amiens. South of Abbeville is 18th century Chateau Bagatelle set in beautiful parklands and filled with period furniture, sculptures and paintings.
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