Amiens: Cathedral, Hortillonnages and Museums

Notre-Dame d’Amiens and its Gothic architecture

Notre-Dame d’Amiens is one of the largest churches in France and one of the most fully realized works of 13th-century Gothic architecture. The cathedral is free to visit. Inside, you can discover striking bronze reclining figures, the labyrinth, and 16th-century wooden choir stalls. These details draw attention away from the vast church building and toward specific elements of its furnishings: bronze figures, the labyrinth, and historic woodwork add to the overall architectural impression.

The cathedral also offers an 800-year-old route from the south tower, past the western rose window, to the highest point of the north tower. Its stops give this experience a distinct focus alongside a visit to the cathedral’s furnishings. If you plan to take the route, check the booking requirements in advance. The cathedral’s visiting arrangements may also change.

The Hortillonnages: canals, gardens and wetlands

The Hortillonnages form a mosaic of canals, bodies of water of varying sizes, vegetable crops, allotment gardens, ornamental gardens, woodland and wetlands. Water, cultivated areas and gardens sit side by side, so the landscape cannot be reduced to a single feature. Since 1972, the Hortillonnages have been listed in France’s inventory of natural monuments and sites.

The Hortillonnages are accessible from Amiens city centre. From the Chemin de halage, you can visit them from the bridge on Boulevard de Beauvillé for more than three kilometres. This gives you a named starting point and a specific distance to help you find your way, as well as details about the landscape. Check local access information before your visit.

Jules Verne and the museums of Amiens

The Maison à la Tour offers a biographical link to Jules Verne: the writer lived there as a tenant from 1882 to 1900. The house is open to the public and presents more than 700 cultural objects and documents about Jules Verne. The period he lived there and the size of the collection offer two different ways to explore the writer’s life and work. Visits and a year-round program of events are available at the Maison de Jules Verne; check the dates as you plan.

The Musée de Picardie combines architectural history with a wide range of collection themes. Its building was constructed from 1855 to 1867. It includes a large central salon or domed hall, reception galleries, and a Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic chapel. The chapel has been converted into a cafeteria and is furnished with pieces by Székély. The building therefore offers a chance to explore different architectural features and the chapel’s change of use.

Since 5 January 2002, the Musée de Picardie has held the official designation “Musée de France.” The main themes of its collections include archaeology, fine art, modern and contemporary art, and Islamic art. If you are choosing a museum to visit, these themes can help you decide whether you are interested in archaeology or different areas of art.

For your planning, the difference lies in comparing the themes: the cathedral combines Gothic architecture with historic furnishings, the Hortillonnages showcase a varied landscape mosaic, and the museums offer their own focus on Jules Verne, architecture and art. This can help you decide which of these areas you would like to give particular attention to during your stay in Amiens.

Discover more destinations: Beauval, Arquèves, Cappy, Quend, Roisel, Saigneville, Fossemanant, Hangest-En-Santerre.

For the regional travel overview: Somme.