Amiens

The cathedral is Amiens’ defining landmark and one of the finest expressions of French High Gothic architecture.

The main structure was built in the 13th century and displays remarkable unity in its plan, façade and soaring vertical design.

The west front is covered by an extensive sculptural programme, while the luminous interior draws the eye towards the lofty vaults.

A large medieval labyrinth lies in the nave, and the choir contains richly carved stalls from the late Middle Ages.

The cathedral was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.

On selected evenings, the façade becomes the stage for Chroma, a light show that reinterprets its colours and history.

Allow at least one to two hours, and check access to the towers, treasury and special events.

The Hortillonnages form a rare cultural landscape of waterways, gardens and small islands beside the city centre.

The area covers around 300 hectares and contains an extensive network of canals between cultivated plots and private gardens.

Traditional flat-bottomed boats are used for organised trips through the narrow waterways.

Birds, willow trees, vegetable gardens and flowers make the experience change dramatically with the seasons.

The international garden festival brings contemporary art and landscape installations to the islands during the warmer months.

Parts of the area can also be explored from walking paths, cycle routes and Port d’Amont beside Saint-Leu.

Book boat trips in advance at weekends and during holiday periods, and dress for the weather and cooler temperatures on the water.

Saint-Leu lies between the cathedral and the Hortillonnages and is Amiens’ most atmospheric district for canals and evening life.

The quarter grew around waterways, mills, crafts and the textile trade.

Narrow streets, small bridges and colourful façades give the neighbourhood a strong identity of its own.

Quai Bélu is lined with restaurants and terraces overlooking the Somme canal and the cathedral.

The university has helped create a youthful, lively atmosphere with cultural venues, bookshops and informal meeting places.

On Saturday mornings, local producers and hortillons may appear at the waterside market.

Walk through the district both by day and after dark to experience two very different moods.

The turreted house on Rue Charles-Dubois offers an intimate encounter with Jules Verne’s life, study and imaginative world.

Jules Verne lived in Amiens for 34 years and occupied the house from 1882 to 1900, at the height of his fame.

The visit leads through drawing rooms, the dining room, library, study and rooms filled with models, posters and original documents.

The displays connect the author’s daily life with novels about the sea, outer space and technological visions of the future.

The house stands in Henriville, a quieter area south of the city centre and close to Musée de Picardie.

The self-guided Aronnax trail follows traces of Jules Verne across the city.

Advance booking is recommended because visitor numbers are limited for each time slot.

Musée de Picardie is both a monumental palace of art and a wide-ranging journey through the cultural history of the region and Europe.

The 19th-century museum was designed as one of France’s first buildings created specifically to house art collections.

The collections range from archaeology and Egyptian objects to medieval art, sculpture and European painting.

The grand galleries, staircases and decoration are an important part of the museum experience.

Temporary exhibitions and family activities complement the permanent collections.

The museum is close to the centre and can easily be combined with the Maison de Jules Verne.

Check which galleries are open, current exhibitions and combined ticket options before visiting.

Chroma transforms the cathedral’s west front into a vast stage for colour, light, sound and storytelling.

The show evokes the fact that medieval sculpted façades were originally painted.

Projections follow the architecture, turning portals, statues and ornament into part of a moving visual narrative.

The programme usually runs during selected periods in summer and around Christmas, although dates vary.

Place Notre-Dame fills quickly on popular evenings, so arrive early for a good view.

It makes an excellent finale after dinner in Saint-Leu or the city centre.

Check the programme, starting time and any last-minute changes on the official website on the day.

Ail des Ours offers a lively, creative style of cooking centred on local produce and seasonal plants.

The restaurant is on Rue Sire Firmin Leroux, between the main shopping streets and the cathedral.

The kitchen is led by Stéphane Bruyer and combines French technique with flavours inspired by nature.

The menus change frequently and are based on fresh ingredients from the region.

The open kitchen and contemporary dining room create an intimate, informal gastronomic experience.

Wine and drinks recommendations accompany the changing dishes.

Advance booking is recommended, especially for dinner and at weekends.

Les Orfèvres serves refined French cuisine with contemporary touches in a central, art-filled setting.

The restaurant is on Rue des Orfèvres, only a few minutes from the cathedral.

Frédéric Barette works with classical techniques, precise sauces and carefully selected ingredients.

The menus combine regional produce with wider French and international influences.

The dining room has a contemporary feel and a warm, professional atmosphere.

Food and wine pairings are an important part of the experience.

View the current menus and book directly on the restaurant’s website.

Le Quai is a large, lively restaurant on Quai Bélu, at the heart of Saint-Leu’s canals and restaurant scene.

The terrace overlooks the Somme canal, with views of bridges, colourful houses and the cathedral.

The menu combines regional classics with fish, meat and seasonal dishes.

Ficelle picarde and other local flavours make this a good introduction to Picardy cuisine.

The atmosphere is informal and works well for families, friends and groups.

The restaurant keeps long opening hours and is a popular stop after a boat trip or city walk.

Book a terrace table in high season if the view matters to you.

Querelle combines a wine bar, market-led cooking and sharing plates in a playful, sociable setting.

The restaurant is on Rue Sire Firmin Leroux in central Amiens.

The kitchen works with local producers, and dishes change according to the season and availability.

Small hot and cold dishes make it possible to sample several styles during the meal.

The wine list is central to the concept and encourages exploration and sharing.

The atmosphere is particularly well suited to friends and a relaxed evening.

Bookings are mainly taken by telephone, and larger tables should be arranged well in advance.

La Table du Marais serves creative, seasonal cuisine in peaceful surroundings beside Marais des Trois Vaches.

The restaurant lies east of the city centre, surrounded by greenery and wetlands.

The cooking draws on French traditions, locally sourced produce and a clear respect for the seasons.

The intimate dining room welcomes only a limited number of guests at each service.

In fine weather, the terrace opens onto the garden and wetland landscape.

The location is easiest to reach by bicycle, taxi or car.

Advance booking is recommended, and opening hours should be checked before setting out.

Le Port Saint-Leu combines local specialities, informal hospitality and terrace tables beside the canals.

The restaurant is in the historic Saint-Leu quarter, surrounded by waterways and city life.

The kitchen takes traditional dishes and presents them in an updated style.

The terrace, pergola and garden offer several different settings through the year.

It is well suited to a long lunch, a family dinner or an evening meal after visiting the cathedral.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with an emphasis on terroir and generous portions.

Check the menu, opening hours and booking information on the restaurant’s website.

The Circuit du Souvenir links some of the most important sites associated with the Battle of the Somme and the First World War.

The route crosses landscapes where memorials, cemeteries, museums and traces of the front lie close together.

Albert is a natural starting point, with Musée Somme 1916 and its instantly recognisable basilica.

The Thiepval Memorial, Beaumont-Hamel and the Lochnagar Crater offer very different perspectives on the war.

The distances make travelling by car or taking a guided tour the easiest option.

Choose a limited number of sites and leave time for reflection rather than rushing through the entire route.

Check opening hours for museums and visitor centres before setting out.

Villers-Bretonneux is central to Australian remembrance and the fighting of spring 1918.

The Australian National Memorial stands beside a large Commonwealth cemetery outside the town.

The Sir John Monash Centre uses film, sound and digital media to tell the soldiers’ stories.

The Franco-Australian school and museum in the village illustrate the enduring links between the local community and Australia.

The site is around 20 kilometres from Amiens and can easily be combined with Corbie and the Somme Valley.

Show respect at the cemetery and allow plenty of time for the visitor centre.

Check security requirements, opening hours and whether advance registration is required.

Beneath the village of Naours lies an extensive network of rooms and passages carved into the limestone.

The site was developed as a refuge for people, animals and possessions during periods of war and unrest.

The underground complex contains streets, chapels, wells and chambers showing how a hidden community could be organised.

Graffiti left by First World War soldiers adds another historical layer.

The temperature underground is cool and constant, so bring a warm jacket even in summer.

The visit is well suited to families with older children and history enthusiasts.

Naours lies around 20 kilometres north of Amiens and is easiest to reach by car.

The Baie de Somme opens into a vast tidal landscape of birdlife, sandbanks, salt marshes and historic small towns.

Saint-Valery-sur-Somme combines medieval streets, a harbour, a promenade and views across the bay.

Le Crotoy lies on the northern shore and offers a different perspective on the tides and nature reserves.

Boat trips and guided walks provide safe, informative access to the changing landscape.

The tides affect views, boat routes and walking conditions, so plan around local advice.

The area is ideal for birdwatching, photography, seafood and a peaceful day by the coast.

A car offers the easiest journey from Amiens, and a full day is recommended.