Capital of Picardy, Amiens is a crossroads of history, commerce and culture . Yet it is a cosy little city, its charmingly restored medieval riverbank district nestling around its Gothic Cathedral. Find out more with this quick guide to this world renowned UNESCO site - just one and a half hour's drive from Calais.

Click for Staying, Enjoying, Shopping, Getting to Amiens

Here are some great reasons to visit!

The Cathedral
Amiens Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture, and twice a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for its structural majesty and for its importance on the pilgrims’ way to Santiago de Compostela.
Come summer, the free “Cathédrale en Couleurs” light spectacle brings the medieval statuary of the Cathedral portals back to their original vibrancy.

Chès Cabotans d'Amiens, 31 rue Edouard David, 80000 Amiens
Tel: 00 333 22 22 30 90

This puppet theatre illustrates the grand tradition of puppetry in Amiens. The most famous puppets are Lafleur, whose motto is “eat well, drink well and do nothing” and his long suffering fiancee Sandrine. Highly reminiscent of Punch and Judy, you don't need to understand the unique Picard dialect to enjoy these little farces.

Marott' Street, 1 rue Marotte, 80000 Amiens
Tel: 00 333 22 91 14 93

Marott' Street is located in a fantastic building from the fin de siècle period, designed by Gustave Eiffel's student, Emile Ricquier. This former insurance office features the intricate ironwork and scrolling designs typical of the time. It's a wonderful place for coffee in the afternoon or drinks before dinner.

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Go to place Parmentier for the fortnightly "Réderie"

Like many Picard towns, Amiens plays host to its Réderie; a market of collectibles, antiques and bric-a-brac. Browse and haggle over unique pieces, hard to find in British markets. There is a Rederie every other Sunday. Twice a year, in April and in October, a giant Réderie takes over the whole town centre of Amiens.

La Corbeille Paysanne, les Halles du Beffroi, 80000 Amiens
Tel: 00 333 22 91 70 46

In the heart of Amiens' market, this producers' association sells all the regional fram produce such as mustard, honey, gâteau battu, beer , 'milk-jam', smoked fish of the Haute Somme, fresh and organic dairy produce...

Confiserie Trogneux, 1 rue Delambre, 80000 Amiens
Tel: 00 333 22 71 17 17

Chocolatiers and confiseurs since 1872. They sell their own products and a selection of other homemade chocolates. They specialise in the famous Amiens macaroon and chocolate “tuiles”. They are also the inventors of Le “Quentin de la Tour” - hand-made dark or milk chocolate pralines.

The Market on the Somme, place Parmentier

Each Saturday, organic garden produce is delivered to the Amiens market. Situated near the beautiful Hortillonages gardens, you can browse and purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables. A wonderful French routine to be experienced.

More great ideas can be found in our Picardy shopping guide...

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Take advantage of the 'Bon Weekend en Villes' promotion! Book two consecutive weekend nights at one of the following hotels and one of them is free. (offer ends 31 March - terms and conditions apply)

Hotel Mercure Amiens Cathedrale - This fine 3-star hotel is centrally positioned for all that Amiens has to offer. Located next to the Cathedral, it has 47 charming rooms, a bar and many nearby restaurants.

Le Grand Hotel de L'Univers -close to the rail and bus stations, Amiens' excellent shops and principal sites.

Le Carlton - The hotel has a large, lively, brasserie-style restaurant and bar, and offers a range of regional specialities.

Hotel Alsace-Lorraine - In a quiet courtyard, close to the railway station and to the principal sites of Amiens.

Amiens is easy to reach by road and rail and air.

By Rail

Returns to Amiens via Paris with Eurostar and TGV cost from £84. This includes a change of trains in Paris. The total journey time is 4 hours 30 minutes from London, or 45 minutes to an hour from Paris, Gare du Nord

By Road

Amiens is an one and a half hours drive from Calais, direct on the A16 motorway.