Amiens, France
Region: Somme
Geographic Coordinates: 49.892000, 2.299000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal climate and weather patterns in Amiens, France are influenced by its location in a temperate oceanic climate zone, with mild summers and cool winters.
Population: 134706
Language: French
Amiens is a charming city located in the northern part of France, Approximately 120 km north of Paris. It is the capital of the department of Somme and boasts a rich history that dates back to Roman times. The city has many attractions that draw visitors from all over the world. One of Amiens’ most famous landmarks is its stunning Gothic cathedral, Which was built in the 13th century and stands as one of Europe’s largest cathedrals. It features intricate carvings, Beautiful stained glass windows, And impressive sculptures.
The cathedral’s interior houses some notable relics such as John the Baptist’s head and Saint Firmin’s arm. Another must-see attraction in Amiens is Les Hortillonnages, An area consisting of floating gardens on canals that run through a maze-like network of waterways. Visitors can take boat tours to admire this unique landscape filled with colorful flowers, Vegetables, And fruits. The city also boasts several museums such as Musée de Picardie which showcases art collections from prehistoric times to contemporary works by local artists. Musée Jules Verne celebrates one of France’s most famous authors who spent his last years living in Amiens.
Amiens has plenty to offer for nature lovers too – Parc Saint-Pierre offers lush greenery with walking paths perfect for picnics or just relaxing under trees while admiring statues scattered throughout its grounds. For those looking for more adventure, There are several parks offering zip-lining courses or tree-top walks around Amiens. during Christmas time every year, Amiens hosts one of Europe’s largest Christmas markets where visitors can enjoy traditional French holiday foods like roasted chestnuts or mulled wine while browsing dozens upon dozens wooden stalls selling handmade crafts or festive decorations.
All in all, Whether you’re interested in history or nature; arts or food; shopping or leisure activities – there’s something for everyone here!
Important Landmarks
- Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in France.
- Jules Verne House is the former home of the famous French writer, now a museum dedicated to his life and works.
- Saint-Leu neighborhood is a charming area along the Somme River with colorful houses, cafes, and shops.
- Hortillonnages Floating Gardens are a unique network of canals and islands where locals grow flowers and vegetables.
- Musée de Picardie is an art and archaeology museum with collections ranging from ancient times to modern art.
- Tour Perret is the tallest building in Amiens with panoramic views over the city.
- Maison de la Culture d’Amiens – Centre Pompidou is a cultural center hosting exhibitions, concerts, theater performances, and more.
- Place Gambetta is a lively square surrounded by historic buildings and popular restaurants.
- Les Hortillonnages en barque offers boat tours through the floating gardens for a relaxing afternoon on the water.
- Cirque Jules Verne is an impressive circus building built in 1889 that still hosts shows today.
Primary Industries
- Manufacturing: Amiens has a robust manufacturing industry, especially in textiles, food processing, and metalworking.
- Agriculture: The surrounding countryside is renowned for its agriculture industry, cultivating crops such as wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes.
- Services: The service sector is also vital to the economy in Amiens with numerous businesses providing services such as tourism, finance, healthcare and education.
- Technology: There are several technology companies operating in Amiens including IT services providers and software development firms.
- Retail: Many retail stores are located throughout the city center offering an array of goods from clothing to electronics to souvenirs.
- Tourism: Amiens is home to several tourist attractions including its famous Gothic cathedral which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
- Transportation: With its central location within France’s transportation network (including high-speed trains), several logistics companies operate out of Amiens that provide transportation services across Europe.
Noteable History
- The Battle of Amiens was a significant battle during World War I that took place in August 1918 and marked the beginning of the end of the war.
- Jules Verne, a renowned French author, resided in Amiens for many years and authored several novels there, such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
- The Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral is an enormous Gothic cathedral that is one of France’s largest and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Saint John’s Abbey is one of Christianity’s oldest monasteries still standing today, having been founded in 635 AD.
- Louis Blériot was a French aviator who made history by being the first person to fly across from Calais to Dover in his plane built-in Amiens.
- The Picardy Wallonie Theatre Festival brings together theatre companies from all over Europe annually to perform at various venues around Amiens.
- Hortillonnages Floating Gardens are unique floating gardens located on canals throughout Amiens that have been cultivated since medieval times.
- Pierre Mendès France, former Prime Minister of France, was born in Amiens and played an essential role in post-World War II politics.
- Visitors come to Amiens for Battlefields Tours to explore nearby battlefields from both World Wars such as Somme, Villers-Bretonneux, and Péronne.
- The Musée de Picardie houses impressive art collections with artifacts reflecting Picardy region history like Roman antiquities, medieval tapestries & modern paintings by local artists like Henri Matisse & Georges Braque.
Museums and Things To See
- Cathedral Notre-Dame d’Amiens
- Jules Verne House
- Musée de Picardie
- Hortillonnages floating gardens
- Maison de la Culture d’Amiens
- Tour Perret
- Saint-Leu neighborhood
- Musée des Avelines
- Château de Rambures
- Musée de l’Hôtel-Dieu
Sports Teams
- Amiens SC Football: The football club was established in 1901 and has participated in various leagues throughout its existence. In 2017, the team succeeded in gaining promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time, but unfortunately, they were relegated back to Ligue 2 the following season.
- Amiens Hockey Elite: The ice hockey club was founded in 1967 and has won multiple French championships over the years. The team plays their home games at Coliséum, which can accommodate up to 3,750 spectators.
- Amiens UC Basket: This basketball club was established in 1928 and currently competes at Nationale Masculine 2 (NM2), which represents the fourth tier of French basketball.
- Amiens Sporting Club Rugby: The rugby union club was founded in 1908 and has predominantly played lower divisions of French rugby with a brief stint at Pro D2 (the second tier) during the early-2000s.
- Roller Hockey Club d’Amiens: This roller hockey club came into existence in1986 and has won numerous national titles since then. It presently participates both at senior and junior levels within France’s roller hockey league system.
Cultural Events
- Festival of the Hortillonnages: This festival celebrates the unique floating gardens of Amiens and takes place in July and August.
- Christmas Market: Amiens hosts one of northern France’s largest Christmas markets, featuring over 130 chalets selling traditional crafts and food.
- Les Rendez-vous de la Cathédrale: Throughout the summer, this annual music festival holds concerts inside Amiens Cathedral.
- La Fête dans la Ville: A street festival that showcases local culture and traditions through music, dance, food, and art.
- Le Printemps des Poètes: Every March, this literary festival dedicates itself to poetry.
- Les Rencontres Internationales de la Haute Picardie: An international photography exhibition that brings together works from around the world.
- La Foire aux Manèges: For several weeks each year, a traditional fairground sets up shop in Amiens offering rides for children and adults alike.
- Les Journées du Patrimoine: National event where museums, historic buildings, and other cultural sites open their doors to visitors for free or at reduced prices.
- Le Festival International du Film d’Amiens (FIFAM): Annually showcasing independent films from all over the world at a film festival in Amiens.
- La Grande Réderie d’Amiens is one of Europe’s largest flea markets held twice a year where locals sell second-hand goods on stalls set up throughout the city center streets.
Cuisine
- La Table des Fouées – a traditional restaurant serving regional specialties such as fouées (small baked breads) with various toppings.
- Le Quai – a modern French restaurant with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
- Chez Mamie – a cozy bistro offering classic French dishes like escargots, steak frites, and crème brûlée.
- Les Trois Petits Cochons – a casual eatery known for its hearty portions of charcuterie and cheese boards.
- La Maison du Spaghetti – an Italian restaurant specializing in homemade pasta dishes like carbonara and lasagna.
- Le Bistrot Saint-Leu – a popular spot for brunch featuring dishes like eggs Benedict, croque-monsieur, and pancakes with maple syrup.
- L’Atelier des Saveurs – an upscale dining experience featuring creative takes on traditional French cuisine such as foie gras terrine with fig compote or roasted duck breast with cherry sauce.
- Au Bureau Amiens – a lively pub-style restaurant serving burgers, pizzas, salads, and other pub fare alongside beers on tap from around the world.
- Parc Saint-Pierre is a large public park that boasts beautiful gardens, tranquil ponds, and scenic walking trails.
- Jardin des Plantes is a botanical garden featuring an impressive collection of over 2,500 plant species.
- Les Hortillonnages d’Amiens are floating gardens located on the canals of Amiens that can be explored by boat or on foot.
- Parc de la Hotoie is a park equipped with playgrounds, sports fields, and a lake perfect for fishing and boating.
- Promenade des Corderies is a picturesque path along the Somme River ideal for walking or cycling.
- Piscine Les Bains des Docks is an indoor swimming pool complex with several pools and water slides to enjoy.
- Golf Club d’Amiens offers an 18-hole golf course surrounded by lush nature for avid golfers to play on.
- Skatepark du Coliseum features ramps and obstacles suitable for all skill levels of skateboarders to practice their moves on.
- Stade de la Licorne serves as home turf to the Amiens SC football team while also hosting other sporting events throughout the year.
- Ciné St-Leu provides movie enthusiasts with independent films from around the world in its art-house cinema setting.