What Should I Do in Amiens in France? A Guide To The City

Amiens in France

Amiens in France is a relatively small town but still offers some of the most adventurous day trips. The city, located in Hauts de France region is blessed with some beautiful floating gardens, canal-side cafes, cobblestone streets, a cathedral with timeless gothic and renaissance architecture and so much more. You can visit the world war II battlefields of Somme and Samara which are located a few miles from the town. The city is filled with the prettiest monuments. Read on to know some of the best things to do in Amiens.

Amiens Cathedral

Tours Cathedral

The Amiens Cathedral is 42 meters soaring structure exhibiting extraordinary gothic and renaissance architecture. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oak choir stalls, gothic cravings and the sublime polychrome sculptures will grab your attention as soon as you enter the cathedral.

 

Saint-Leu

Saint-Leu is a beautiful street along the River Somme. You will find numerous cafes, restaurants and bars in the street. You can grab a seat and enjoy coffee with the serene river flowing on the other side.

 

Picardie museum

The Picardie museum (musée de Picardie) is one of the largest regional museums of the country containing archaeological artefacts from different eras of time. You will see work of art from the prehistoric time to the 19th century. Visit the museum to see the art pieces of Jan van Goyen, Jean-Honoré Fragonard and Joan Miró.

 

Les Hortillonnages

After admiring the historical architecture, walk a few minutes to the network of canals surrounded by farmlands and small houses. The market gardeners are called ‘hortillions’ who plant the floating gardens. A guided tour will explain how these gardens came into being and how the market gardeners work on them. 

 

 Amiens Zoological Park

The Amiens zoological park spanning over an area of 6.5 hectares was established in 1952. It will be an exciting trip for children as the zoo contains more than 300 animals, including rare red pandas, vivid parrots, and sea lions. You can plan a theme or a guided tour around the year. 

 

Home of Jules Verne

Jules Verne was a famous writer who lived in Amiens for 18 years until 1905. His home is now a museum displaying the classic novels written by the writer. One of the most famous books by the writer is ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’. The home of Jules Verne contains 30000 objects belonging to the writer.

 

Tour Perret

In the city full of ancient architecture, the Tour Perret is a unique sight. It was built as a part of the redevelop plan of the town. The residential building is 110 meters tall, and it was designed by the famous artist Auguste Perret. You may get a glimpse of the city centre of Le Havre as it was also redesigned by the same artist.

 

Cité Souterraine de Naours

The limestone tunnels are a unique attraction near Amiens. The tunnels were used to seek refuge in World Wars. The limestone galleries extend for 2km beneath the hill. The guided tour of the Cité Souterraine de Naours will explain how these tunnels were used in different eras of history.

 

Amiens might be a small town, but it is an ideal destination for a day trip. You can easily roam around the city and admire its beautiful architecture and natural attractions.