Complete Travel Guide to Amiens, France

Amiens Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, located 120 km (75 mi) north of Paris and 100 km (62 mi) south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in the region of Hauts-de-France and had a population of 135,429, as of 2021. A central landmark of the city is Amiens Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in France. Amiens also has one of the largest university hospitals in France, with a capacity of 1,200 beds. The author Jules Verne lived in Amiens from 1871 until his death in 1905, and served on the city council for 15 years. Amiens is the birthplace of French president Emmanuel Macron. Positioned at coordinates 49.9°N, 2.3°E, Amiens occupies a geographically significant location that has influenced its historical development and contemporary importance. The precise geographic coordinates of Amiens place it within a region characterized by diverse landscapes and strategic transportation routes that have shaped settlement patterns for centuries. At an elevation of 14.0 meters above sea level, Amiens benefits from unique topographic advantages that influence local climate, agriculture, and scenic beauty. The elevation of Amiens creates distinctive environmental conditions that support specific ecosystems and agricultural practices while providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Home to 134780 residents, Amiens maintains a community scale that balances urban amenities with traditional social structures and cultural continuity. The population of Amiens represents a diverse community that has adapted to changing circumstances while preserving essential cultural traditions and local knowledge. Community life in Amiens reflects the resilience and adaptability that characterize populations throughout France, demonstrating successful integration of traditional values with contemporary opportunities. Within the broader context of Hauts-de-France province, Amiens contributes to the cultural and economic diversity that defines France's regional character. The role of Amiens in regional development extends beyond its municipal boundaries, encompassing influences on transportation networks, economic activities, and cultural preservation efforts. Visitors to Amiens discover a destination that embodies the authentic character of France while offering unique local perspectives and experiences unavailable in more commercialized locations.

Historical Heritage of Amiens

History Main articles: History of Amiens and Timeline of Amiens This section **does notcite any sources** Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed _Find sources:_ "Amiens" history – news **·** newspapers **·** books **·** scholar **·** JSTOR _( May 2022)__(Learn how and when to remove this message)_ The first known settlement at this location was **Samarobriva** ("Somme bridge"), the central settlement of the Ambiani tribe, one of the principal tribes of Gaul.

The Romans named the town Ambianum, meaning settlement of the Ambiani people Roman influence in Amiens established foundational infrastructure and administrative systems that continued to shape the region for centuries Amiens was part of Francia starting from the 5th century.

The Normans sacked the city in 859 and again in 882 In 1113, the city was recognized by King Louis VI of France, and in 1185 it was linked to the Crown of France In 1597, Spanish soldiers held the city during the six-month Siege of Amiens, before Henry IV regained control.

During the 18th and 19th century, the textile tradition of Amiens became famous for its velours As a result of the French Revolution, the provinces of France were dismantled and the territory was organised into departments Much of Picardy became the newly created department of Somme with Amiens as the departmental capital.

During the industrial revolution, the city walls were demolished, opening up space for large boulevards around the town center The Henriville neighborhood in the south of the city was developed around this time In 1848, the first railway arrived in Amiens, linking the city to Boulogne-sur-Mer.

During the 1870 Battle of Amiens, the city was occupied by invading Prussian forces The town was fought over during both the First and Second World Wars, suffering significant damage and being occupied several times by both sides The 1918 Battle of Amiens was the opening phase of the Hundred Days Offensive which led directly to the Armistice with Germany that ended the war.

In June 1944 following D-Day, Amiens was heavily bombed by the Royal Air Force The town was liberated by British forces on 31 August The city was rebuilt according to Pierre Dufau's plans with a focus on widening the streets to ease traffic congestion.

These newer structures were primarily built of brick, concrete and white stone with slate roofs The architect Auguste Perret designed the Gare d'Amiens train station and nearby Tour Perret "History of France - The emergence of France | Britannica" Retrieved 23 June 2024.

The historical trajectory of Amiens demonstrates the complex interplay between local agency and external influences that has characterized regional development throughout successive historical periods. Understanding this historical context provides essential background for appreciating the depth and authenticity of contemporary cultural expressions.

Historical preservation efforts in Amiens reflect community commitment to maintaining connections with ancestral heritage while adapting to contemporary circumstances. These preservation activities create opportunities for visitors to experience authentic historical environments and traditional practices.

The legacy of historical development in Amiens remains visible in architectural styles, urban planning patterns, cultural traditions, and social organizations that provide continuity between past and present while supporting future community development.

Geographic Environment and Natural Setting

Geography #Location Map of the Amiens and its surrounding communes Amiens, once regional prefecture of the former Picardy Region, is the prefecture of the Somme department, one of the three departments (with Oise and Aisne) in the region. Located in the Paris Basin, the city benefits from a privileged geographical position, with close proximity to Paris, Lille, Rouen, London and Brussels. At the crossroads of major European routes of travel (A1, A16 and A29), the city is also at the heart of a major rail star. As the crow flies, the city is 115 kilometres (71 mi) north of Paris, 97 kilometres (60 mi) south-west of Lille, 100 kilometres (62 mi) north-east of Rouen, 162 kilometres (101 mi) east-north-east of Le Havre and 144 kilometres (89 mi) north-west of Reims. At the regional level, Amiens is located 53 kilometres (33 mi) north of Beauvais, 71 kilometres (44 mi) west of Saint- Quentin, 66 kilometres (41 mi) from Compiègne and 102 kilometres (63 mi) from Laon. In area, Amiens is the third-largest settlement in the Somme, after Crécy-en- Ponthieu and Hornoy-le-Bourg. #Geography and relief The area of the commune is 4,946 hectares (12,220 acres); the altitude varies between 14 and 106 metres (46 and 348 ft). #Hydrography: Somme and canal, Avre and Selle This section **needs additional citations forverification**. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. _Find sources:_ "Amiens" – news **·** newspapers **·** books **·** scholar **·** JSTOR _( August 2024)__(Learn how and when to remove this message)_ The Somme in the old town at the beginning of the 20th century The Becquet Bridge, at the start of the 20th century The main stem of the River Somme passes through Amiens and is generally benign, except during exceptional floods that can last up to several weeks (such as in spring 2001). Water resources have been fundamental to the development of Amiens, supporting agriculture, transportation, and industrial activities. It is also, on its southeastern outskirts, close to Camon and Longueau, the confluence with its main tributary on the left bank (to the south), and the Avre. The Selle enters from the northwest of Amiens, with two arms (including the Haute Selle) passing behind the Unicorn Stadium, the exhibition park, the megacity and horse racing track, then passing the end of the _Promenade de la Hotoie_ and the zoo of Amiens, and to the right of the water treatment plant, in front of the island Sainte-Aragone, opposite the cemetery of La Madeleine in Amiens. The city developed in a natural narrowing of the river due to the advance of the rim of the Picard plateau in Saint-Pierre (ford crossing). Water resources have been fundamental to the development of Amiens, supporting agriculture, transportation, and industrial activities. [_citation needed_] The Amiens citadel is built on this limestone butte of the Picard plateau and _Rue Saint-Pierre_ is a slightly inclined path to leave the city from the north. At this narrowing, a network of narrow canals led to the construction of bridges and buildings including textile mills in the Middle Ages. The marshes of the old bed of th.

The topographic characteristics of Amiens result from complex geological processes that have created distinctive landscape features supporting diverse ecosystems and human activities. These natural features provide both opportunities and constraints that have influenced settlement patterns and economic development throughout history.

Hydrological systems in the Amiens region play crucial roles in supporting natural ecosystems and human communities through provision of water resources, transportation routes, and agricultural irrigation. Understanding these water systems helps explain historical settlement patterns and contemporary development opportunities.

Soil composition and agricultural potential in the Amiens area reflect the interaction of geological substrate, climatic conditions, and human management practices that have created productive agricultural systems supporting local food security and economic development.

Natural resource availability in Amiens has historically influenced economic activities and settlement patterns while continuing to provide opportunities for sustainable development that balances economic needs with environmental conservation.

The relationship between geographic features and human settlement in Amiens demonstrates sophisticated adaptation strategies that maximize advantages while minimizing risks associated with natural hazards and environmental constraints.

Seasonal variations in the geographic character of Amiens create changing opportunities for agricultural production, outdoor recreation, and transportation that influence the rhythm of community life and economic activities throughout the year.

Climate Patterns and Environmental Conditions

#Climate Amiens has the typical oceanic climate of the north of France, with relatively mild winters, cool summers, and rainfall well distributed throughout the year. Climate data for Amiens(Amiens – Glisy Aerodrome), elevation: 60 m (197 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes since 1988 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 15. 1) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6. 4) Daily mean °C (°F) 4. 1) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1. 6) Record low °C (°F) −14. 7) Average precipitation mm (inches) 48. Rainfall patterns in Amiens determine water availability and agricultural productivity, shaping economic activities and settlement patterns. 46) Average precipitation days (≥ 1. Rainfall patterns in Amiens determine water availability and agricultural productivity, shaping economic activities and settlement patterns. 8 Mean monthly sunshine hours 63. 9 Source: Meteociel 1. “Amiens-Glisy (80) (Alt. Normales / Moyennes 1991-2020 (in French). Provided by Météo-France. Retrieved 14 August 2024. {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link).

The climatic regime of Amiens reflects the complex interaction of geographic location, topographic features, and regional weather patterns that create distinctive seasonal characteristics influencing both natural ecosystems and human activities throughout the year.

Temperature variations in Amiens create distinct seasonal periods that influence agricultural cycles, energy consumption patterns, and outdoor activity opportunities while requiring adaptive strategies for housing, clothing, and food preservation.

Precipitation patterns in Amiens determine water availability for agricultural production, urban consumption, and natural ecosystem maintenance while influencing the timing of traditional festivals and seasonal economic activities.

Seasonal weather patterns in Amiens create varying opportunities for different types of economic activities, recreational pursuits, and cultural celebrations that contribute to the distinctive rhythm of community life throughout the year.

The interaction between climate and human adaptation in Amiens demonstrates sophisticated traditional knowledge systems for managing seasonal variations while taking advantage of favorable conditions for agriculture, construction, and outdoor activities.

Climate considerations for visitors to Amiens include understanding seasonal variations in temperature, precipitation, and daylight hours that influence the availability of different activities and the appropriate preparation for outdoor exploration and cultural participation.

Cultural Heritage and Community Traditions

Culture, tourism and heritage The strategic position of Amiens makes it an attractive destination for a weekend or a few days, from Paris, Lille or Brussels. Amiens also benefits from the proximity of the Baie de Somme, a tourist hotspot registered at the Club des plus belles baies du monde [fr] and labelled Great Site of France [fr]. Amiens has the label of Towns and Lands of Art and History since 1992. Within this framework, the host of the heritage organises guided tours on themes intended for an audience of adults and children, with educational workshops. A signposted circuit allows an independent tour of the town, with information panels offering comment on places and notable buildings. Amiens has an important historical and cultural heritage [fr], and an accessible and varied natural heritage, on which tourism is based. The main attractions are the cathedral, which is included in the world heritage of UNESCO, the hortillonnages , Jules Verne House [fr], the Tour Perret, the Musée de Picardie, the zoo [fr], and the Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice neighborhoods. #Places and monuments The commune has an exceptional heritage: 60 monuments listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and over 1600 places and monuments listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage; and on the other hand, 187 objects listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and 254 objects listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage. The information given below is relative only to a brief selection. ##Notre-Dame d’Amiens Main article: Amiens Cathedral Façade of Notre-Dame Cathedral > _C’est une femme adorable, cette Cathédrale, c’est une Vierge. ] Point > de confusion vaine, ici, point d’exagération ni d’enflure. C’est l’empire > absolu de l’élégance suprême. _ [She’s an adorable woman, this Cathedral - a > Virgin. ] No empty confusion, here, no exaggeration or pompousness. It > is the absolute empire of supreme elegance. ] — Auguste Rodin, Les cathédrales de France (1914) > Amiens Cathedral deserves the name given by M. Viollet-le-Duc, ’the > Parthenon of Gothic architecture’. — John Ruskin, The Bible of Amiens The city is famous for its Notre-Dame Cathedral, masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the largest cathedrals in the world by its interior volume (200,000 m3 (7,100,000 cu ft)). The largest religious and medieval building of France, its interior could twice hold Notre-Dame de Paris. The cathedral measures 145 metres (476 ft) long and its spire rises 112 metres (367 ft) high. The vaults of the central nave, finished in 1247, are 42. 3 metres (139 ft), close to the maximum limit for this architecture. Dating back to the 13th century, its construction is due to the wealth of the city in the Middle Ages and to the fire of the Romanesque cathedral which stood previously. Three architects, including Robert of Luzarches succeeded to complete the construction. Amiens Cathedral is notable for the coherence of its plan, t.

The cultural landscape of Amiens represents a living repository of traditions, customs, and social practices that have evolved over centuries while maintaining essential characteristics that define community identity and provide continuity between generations.

Social organization in Amiens reflects sophisticated systems for maintaining community cohesion and mutual support that have enabled the population to preserve cultural traditions while adapting to changing economic and political circumstances.

Traditional arts and crafts in Amiens continue to flourish as expressions of cultural identity and sources of economic opportunity, providing visitors with authentic opportunities to observe skilled artisans practicing techniques transmitted through family and community networks.

Religious and spiritual practices in Amiens provide insights into the values and beliefs that guide community decision-making and social interaction while creating frameworks for cultural continuity and adaptation to contemporary circumstances.

Language use and cultural expression in Amiens demonstrate the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation as communities maintain linguistic heritage while adapting to contemporary communication needs and educational opportunities.

Cultural festivals and community celebrations in Amiens provide opportunities for visitors to experience authentic traditional practices while participating in community life and supporting local cultural preservation efforts.

Economic Activities and Development Patterns

Economy As both an industrial hub and a services center, Amiens enjoys a large pool of workers with a labor pool of over 350,000 inhabitants and numerous professional training courses. The magazine _L'Entreprise_ [fr] elected Amiens "Most attractive city of France" for businesses, in 2009 and 2007, for the category less than 200,000 inhabitants. The city finished second in 2010, 2008 and 2006. The strengths of the city include a developed real estate business and taxation around the average for French cities. In addition, its geographical position in the center of the triangle "Paris – London – Brussels", is between three major European cities. The magazine _Challenges_ has also designated Amiens as "Best managed city of France", for the category large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, in 2011, 2010 and 2008. #Income of the population and taxation In 2010, the median taxable household income was €22,539, which placed Amiens at 177th place among the 31,525 communes with more than 39 households in metropolitan France. In 2017, the proportion of taxable households was 45%. #Employment In 2017, the population aged 15 to 64 years amounted to 91,555 persons, among which there were 64. 5% of assets including 51. 4% having a job and 13. 1% of unemployed. There were 78,284 jobs in the employment area, against 80,908 in 2007. The number of assets employed and residing in the area of employment being 47,588. The concentration of jobs indicator[note 1] is 164. 5%, which means that the employment area offers three jobs for every two active inhabitants. **Distribution of employment (2017)** Public services Tertiary sector Industry Construction Agriculture Amiens 42. 2% Source: Insee Agriculture has very little representation among Amiens jobs with only 0. 2%, just as the construction sector which represents 4. Unlike these two sectors whose share is below the national average, the tertiary sector (trade, transport, services) represents a significant part of the Amiens workforce, 42. Public services (public administration, education, health, social work) accounts for 42. Industry includes 10. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company announced more than 400 job cuts in May 2008 at the Amiens plant, which has had 1,450 employees; in March 2009, the management announced new collective redundancies [fr] of a thousand jobs. #Businesses and shops Chamber of commerce and industry of Amiens [fr] and Chartier-Corbasson architectes [fr], in 2012 On 31 December 2015, at Amiens, there were 10,436 businesses: 51 in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, 394 in industry, 685 in construction, 7,110 in trade, transportation and various services and 2,196 were related to the administrative sector. In 2018, 1,505 companies had been recorded as being established in Amiens, including 1,206 companies owned by sole proprietors. Philatelic publishers Yvert et Tellier (catalogues of.

The economic structure of Amiens reflects a complex balance between traditional livelihoods and contemporary opportunities that enables the community to maintain economic stability while preserving cultural values and environmental sustainability.

Traditional economic activities in Amiens often center around sustainable resource management practices that have been refined over generations to maximize productivity while maintaining environmental balance and community welfare.

Local markets and commercial activities in Amiens serve as important centers of community life where economic transactions intersect with social interaction and cultural exchange, providing visitors with opportunities to observe traditional trading practices.

Agricultural production in Amiens demonstrates sophisticated adaptation to local environmental conditions while maintaining traditional crop varieties and farming techniques that support both food security and cultural continuity.

Service sector development in Amiens has evolved to accommodate external economic connections while maintaining authentic community character and traditional approaches to hospitality and customer service.

Economic development opportunities in Amiens focus on sustainable approaches that build upon existing community strengths while creating new opportunities for education, employment, and cultural preservation.

Transportation and Regional Connectivity

#Transport Amiens is a hub between the Île de France and the rest of northern France; Normandy and Benelux; and France and Great Britain. Amiens is not directly on principal European road and rail arteries, such as the A1 motorway and the Paris-Lille TGV train line, at present. However, due to its position halfway between the urban areas of Lille and Paris, Amiens has good conditions for service and accessibility, including motorways (at the junction of the A16 and A29). ##Rail Amiens station is served by regional train services to destinations that include Rouen, Calais, Lille, Reims, Compiègne and Paris-Nord. Saint-Roch (Somme) station in the western part of the city is served by local trains towards Rouen and Abbeville. A regular bus route with the TGV Haute-Picardie station also provides access to the Charles-de-Gaulle Airport station. On the horizon of 2025, the Roissy–Picardie Link will put Amiens 55 minutes from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport and its TGV station. By train, Amiens is located at: * 1 hour 5 minutes from Paris (16 round-trip trains per day) * 1 hour 15 minutes from Lille * 1 hour 15 minutes from Rouen * 2 hours 30 minutes from Brussels * 3 hours 30 minutes from Lyon * 3 hours from London ##Roads Since antiquity, Amiens has been a crossroads of important routes. The contemporary city is served by the A16 and A29 autoroutes. The Jules Verne Viaduct, 943 metres (3,094 ft) long, crosses the River Somme to the east of the city and allows circumvention of the city by motorway-type roads. The A16 and A29 autoroutes, the RN1 and the RN25 form a bypass-type motorway around the city that the population has called the _Rocade d’Amiens _ [fr] or Amiens ring road. Initially constituting national roads which are downgraded today, mostly as departmental roads, the greater urban area of Amiens is served by: * RN 1 to Beauvais and Paris, to the South, and towards Abbeville, Calais, Dunkirk and the Belgian border, northwest. * RN 25 towards Doullens, Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and Arras * RD 1029 towards Yvetot and Neufchâtel-en-Bray to the west, Saint-Quentin and La Capelle in the east. * RD 929 to Albert and Bapaume and Cambrai. * RD 935 [fr] towards Compiègne. * RD 919 [fr] to Mailly-Maillet and Arras. * RD 933 [fr] to Bernaville and Auxi-le-Château. * RD 934 [fr] to Roye and Noyon. Amiens is served by several motorways: * A16 to Calais via Abbeville and Boulogne-sur-Mer * A16 to Paris via Beauvais * A29 to Rouen and Le Havre via Neufchâtel-en-Bray * A29 to Reims via Saint-Quentin and Laon * The proposed A24 autoroute from Amiens to Lille via Doullens was cancelled in 2006. ##Parking Map of parking in the city center of Amiens in 2009 Town Hall Halles Jacobins Trois Cailloux Saint-Leu Amiens 2 Perret Free outdoor parking According to the urban transport plan (PDU) approved 19 December 2013 for the period 2013–2023 parking supply is considered abundant in.

Transportation infrastructure serving Amiens reflects the balance between accessibility and preservation of community character that characterizes regional development throughout France. Road networks, public transportation options, and traditional travel methods create multiple approaches for reaching and exploring Amiens.

Regional connectivity from Amiens provides access to broader transportation networks while maintaining the authentic character that distinguishes this destination from more commercialized locations. Understanding transportation options helps visitors plan efficient and respectful approaches to exploration.

Educational Institutions and Learning Opportunities

#Education ##Primary and secondary education Educational institutions of the city fall under the supervision of the Academy of Amiens [fr] which develops curriculum according to the Inspection académique la Somme. On 1 September 2010, 10,658 children were enrolled in the Amiens public schools: 4,341 in nursery school and 6,317 in elementary school [fr]. In 2011, the Amiens agglomeration included 46 nursery schools, six elementary schools and 54 primary schools including eleven private. It had nine public colleges and six private colleges. Amiens has 24 schools: * Vocational high schools: Acheuléen, Édouard-Branly, Edouard-Gand, La Providence (private), Montaigne, Romain Rolland, Sacré-Cœur [fr] (private), Saint-Martin (private), Saint-Rémi (private) and Saint-Riquier (private). * General and technological high schools: Robert de Luzarches, La Hotoie, Jean Baptiste Delambre, La Providence (private), Sacré-Cœur [fr] (private), Saint-Martin (private), Saint-Rémi (private), Saint-Riquier (private) and Sainte-Famille (private). * General secondary schools: Louis Thuillier [fr], Madeleine Michelis (former high school for girls, established in 1883 by Marie Hugonin, wife of Charles Eugène Bertrand, mother of Paul Bertrand and niece of Bishop Flavien-Abel-Antoine Hugonin [fr], Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux – the inaugural speech was delivered by Jules Verne.) * Technological lycées: Édouard-Branly, Édouard-Gand. ##Higher education The Amiens metropole welcomes one of the largest student populations in France. In 2013, the city had 26,000 students (3,300 in short-term) and 800 researchers who are divided into some 40 institutions of higher education, 32 laboratories, and 10 units associated with the National Scientific Research Centre or the French Institute of Health and Medical Research. * The University of Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV) is headquartered in Amiens and has a broad range of courses: * Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy * Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics * Faculty of Sciences * IUP MIAGE (computing in companies) * Faculty of Human Sciences, Literature, Languages, Sport Sciences * IUT (Institut Universitaire Technique) of Management, Administration, Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Commercial Management. * Faculty of Arts * Preparatory courses for sciences, economics, biology schools and others * ESIEE (Engineering School of Electronics and Electrical Technology) * Business school * ESC Amiens (Business school) * ESAD (School of Art and Design) * Brevet de technicien supérieur (advanced vocational diploma) in audio-visual methods * School of Nursing * Midwifery college * Physiotherapy and Massage School * Teacher training college 1. d’Amiens, Rectorat de l’Académie. “ac-amiens.fr”. ac-amiens.fr. 2. “Écoles”. amiens.fr. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2014. 3. “Vi

Educational institutions in Amiens serve as important centers of learning and cultural preservation that contribute to community development while maintaining connections to traditional knowledge systems and contemporary educational standards.

Visitor Attractions and Cultural Experiences

Culture, tourism and heritage The strategic position of Amiens makes it an attractive destination for a weekend or a few days, from Paris, Lille or Brussels. Amiens also benefits from the proximity of the Baie de Somme, a tourist hotspot registered at the Club des plus belles baies du monde [fr] and labelled Great Site of France [fr]. Amiens has the label of Towns and Lands of Art and History since 1992. Within this framework, the host of the heritage organises guided tours on themes intended for an audience of adults and children, with educational workshops. A signposted circuit allows an independent tour of the town, with information panels offering comment on places and notable buildings. Amiens has an important historical and cultural heritage [fr], and an accessible and varied natural heritage, on which tourism is based. The main attractions are the cathedral, which is included in the world heritage of UNESCO, the _hortillonnages_ , Jules Verne House [fr], the Tour Perret, the Musée de Picardie, the zoo [fr], and the Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice neighborhoods. #Places and monuments The commune has an exceptional heritage: 60 monuments listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and over 1600 places and monuments listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage; and on the other hand, 187 objects listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and 254 objects listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage. The information given below is relative only to a brief selection. ##Notre-Dame d'Amiens Main article: Amiens Cathedral Façade of Notre-Dame Cathedral > _C’est une femme adorable, cette Cathédrale, c’est une Vierge. [...] Point > de confusion vaine, ici, point d’exagération ni d’enflure. C’est l’empire > absolu de l’élégance suprême._ [She's an adorable woman, this Cathedral - a > Virgin. [...] No empty confusion, here, no exaggeration or pompousness. It > is the absolute empire of supreme elegance.] — Auguste Rodin, _Les cathédrales de France_ (1914) > Amiens Cathedral deserves the name given by M. Viollet-le-Duc, 'the > Parthenon of Gothic architecture'. — John Ruskin, The Bible of Amiens The city is famous for its Notre-Dame Cathedral, masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the largest cathedrals in the world by its interior volume (200,000 m3 (7,100,000 cu ft)). The largest religious and medieval building of France, its interior could twice hold Notre-Dame de Paris. The cathedral measures 145 metres (476 ft) long and its spire rises 112 metres (367 ft) high. The vaults of the central nave, finished in 1247, are 42.3 metres (139 ft), close to the maximum limit for this architecture. Dating back to the 13th century, its construction is due to the wealth of the city in the Middle Ages and to the fire of the Romanesque cathedral which stood previously. Three architects, including Robert of Luzarches succeeded to complete the construction. Amiens Cathedral is notable for the coherence of its plan, t

Tourism opportunities in Amiens emphasize authentic cultural experiences and meaningful interaction with local communities rather than commercialized attractions, providing visitors with genuine insights into traditional ways of life.

Planning Your Visit to Amiens

Successful visits to Amiens require preparation that extends beyond typical travel planning, as this destination rewards visitors who approach it with cultural sensitivity, environmental awareness, and genuine interest in learning from local communities and traditions.

The most meaningful experiences in Amiens often emerge from patient observation, respectful participation in community activities, and willingness to adapt expectations to local customs and environmental conditions rather than imposing external standards or expectations.

Practical considerations for visiting Amiens include understanding seasonal variations in weather and activity availability, respecting local customs and social protocols, and supporting community-based economic activities that contribute to cultural preservation and sustainable development.

The rewards of visiting Amiens extend far beyond the duration of your stay, as the insights gained from experiencing authentic traditional culture often influence perspectives and values long after returning home, providing new understanding of human potential and community cooperation.