Top 10 Things to do In Amiens

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Top 10 Things to do In Amiens

Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, 120 km north of Paris and 100 km south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Hauts-de-France. It’s the ideal weekend getaway location. The city has one of the biggest university hospitals in France with a capacity of 1,200 beds. Amiens Cathedral, a Gothic-inspired church of the 13th century and the largest in France of its kind, is present and recorded as a World Heritage Site. The town was fought over during both World Wars, suffering much damage, and occupied several times by both sides. Amiens has an important historical and cultural heritage, on which tourism is based. Apart from the cathedral, there is the hortillonnages, the Tour Perret, the Musée de Picardie, the zoo, and the quarters of Saint-Leu among others. A total of 53 monuments are listed in the inventory of monuments historiques. 126 places and monuments are listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage, and 263 objects listed in the inventory of monuments historiques. However, here are the top 10 things to do in Amiens.

1. Visit the streets of Saint-Leu

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Saint-Leu, a neighbourhood by the canal, lined with colourful restaurants, bars, galleries and shops. This city is reminiscent of other canal cities in France like Amsterdam and Venice. Enjoy a view of the Cathedral as you sip on a coffee en terrasse from one of the charming cafes. The non-teetotalism crew can opt for a drink at one of the trendy bars.  Locals say that in June, you’ll find the Water Market. This is a traditional festival where gardeners paddle down the Somme River in their boats stocked with fruits, vegetables and flowers and set up a floating market by the port.

2. Marvel at the Amiens Notre-Dame Cathedral’s 13^th Century Gothic Architecture

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Pay a visit to one of the most popular places in Amiens. Here you will get to inspect how medieval builders aimed to maximize the internal dimensions of the Amiens Notre-Dame Cathedral so it would mimic a skyscraper and flood the church with even more light. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, the church is popular for its ornate Gothic facade of intricate sculptures and details. It stretches an impressive 145 m (476 ft) in length, 70 m (230 ft) in width and 42.30 m (138.8 ft) in height, making it one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in all of France.

3. Enjoy a Stroll through the Saint-Pierre Park

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The Saint-Pierre Park was designed in 1993 by Jacqueline Osty, the same landscape architect who designed the Martin Luther King Park in Paris.

The Park is located between the Saint-Leu and Saint-Pierre quarters of Amiens. It sits on 22 hectares of vibrant greenery with the marvellous cathedral in its backdrop. This is a picturesque venue for a picnic, a walk or even a leisurely bike ride.

4. Belfry tower Amiens

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A noteworthy monument in Amiens is the Beffroi D’Amiens (Amiens Belfry). This UNESCO World Heritage site has stood resolutely in the Place au Fil since the 12th century. The Belfry tower makes a list of 56 towers found in Belgium and Northern France that hold a UNESCO title.

Once serving as a prison and as the city’s first city hall, today, the tower represents Amiens’ independence from feudal power. Visitors can climb the 100-something steps to the top for breathtaking views over the city.

5. Relax at the Park of Samara

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Delve into a different time in world history in this 21st-century city at the Park of Samara. The Park of Samara demonstrates the way of life from over 600,000 years ago, such as fire-making, stick throwing, and flint shaping. It is surely one of the most fun, yet educational trips you can take, in Amiens!

6. Take a tour of Les Hortillonnages

In Amiens, amidst the Somme and Avre river, lays the Hortillonnages also known as ‘the floating gardens of Amiens’. Enjoy a tour that can only be experienced by boat through the bizarre marsh garden on water. Board replicas of boats used in the medieval times to transport goods and are designed to easily dock without ruining the delicate shores of the cultivated fields

7. Visit the Amiens Zoological Park

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The zoological park was founded in 1952. It can be found in La Hotoie Park, the oldest community park in the city. The park stands on 6.5 hectares of space. La Hotoie Park is home to approximately 300 different animals from a range of 60 species including red pandas, elephants, parrots and sea lions. Visit the park on your own or take a guided tour all year round.

8. The Picardy Museum

If you have an eye for art you will want to visit The Picardy Museum.  Nicknamed “Little Louvre of the Province”, the place has been in existence since 1967. It is said to be among the largest provincial museums in France. Here you can enjoy medieval art, archaeology, fine art and modern and contemporary art.

9. Tour Perret

As one of Europe’s few skyscrapers, reaching more than 100 meters (328.1 feet) in height, Tour Perret is among the most iconic sights when touring Amiens. Named after its architect Auguste Perret, the tower is almost as high as the spire of the Amiens Cathedral, making for a very appealing skyline. Visit and take a nice photo during the tower’s colourful light show.

10. Take a Food Tour

There are a number of authentic Amiens dishes that you could try during your tour. Enjoy this gastronomical experience as you savour your meal. Sample the famous pâté en croûte, a whole duck stuffed with rabbit tenderloin, mushrooms and lard and wrapped in a flaky crust before baking for one hour.

Amiens also has sweet treats like macaron d’Amiens and the tuiles amiénoises, which are biscuits with chocolate and orange flavours.

Now you know the top 10 things to do in Amiens, enjoy your visit!